Page 16 of Lavish

Now I couldn’t even picture that version of me—soft, breathless, hopeful. She was long gone. Packed up and shipped off when he chose his father and I chose my family.

“For real? Let me show you a good time! I had it in Amsterdam, right after the sex show and me and my man—” I gave her a look, and she grinned sheepishly. “Save the absinthe for later? Gotcha.”

We settled in silence, and our eyes followed Laurene as she laughed. Reese, our new brother-in-law and former enemy, was right next to her, his hand placed protectively on her protruding stomach. She was glowing, and it made me appreciate how much we’d achieved since she came back home over a year ago.

“She looks so happy,” Gigi said with a sigh.

How did Laurene pull it off?

I couldn’t just disappear for six years and come back home. I wasn’t the one who could mesh seamlessly in and out of society. People here didn’t extend the same grace to me as they did Laurene. She was the perfect girl. Someone fit for a town like Lush.

Laurene’s return and arranged marriage to Reese Ashbourne had been the talk of the town for months. But somehow my older sister had found love in a crazy situation.

Miles used to look at me like I was something he couldn’t resist, something heneeded. Was it just because no one else looked at me that way that I fell for it? I gave in to those silly feelings of believing in the fairy tale. That his eyes were true when he looked at me like there was no one else in the room.

Healwayssaw me.

That made me the perfect target.

Gigi continued and squeezed my arm tighter. “It’s like we’ve come full circle, huh? We didn’t know what was going to happen to her or if Mama would let her come back. I mean, it felt like a piece of us was missing. But now we’re all here, together again. Both of my big sisters.”

I kept my expression neutral, though her words stabbed deeper than she realized. How easy it was for Gigi to believe in that kind of simple, happy ending? I couldn’t do that.

“Do you…do you think we’ll be happy too? When our marriagesget arranged? Or will it be all sad and shit like the ladies from the fifteenth century when they sold you for a goat and a pot of sugar?”

Unfortunately, that made me laugh, but then I shook my head at her and frowned.

The truth was love didn’t belong to us. Or at least tosomeof us. I wished someone had told me the truth years ago about our position in this town. We were privileged beyond belief. But with that came restrictions. Gigi would have to fall in line someday.

“We all have roles to play when it comes to King Enterprises. Business first. Always. We don’t get the luxury of a ‘happily ever after.’”

Like I expected, Gigi’s face fell.

You can lie about this, Serena. You’ve lied about so much else.

“But with your charm, wit, and boobs, I’m sure no man will resist you, G. They’ll fall at your feet.”

Immediately, Gigi perked up.

“You’re right, men do fall at my feet. I’m sexy.” She licked her lips and sat up straighter. “What the hell am I worried for?”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I just listened to Gigi go on about her good looks. Eventually, Laurene turned, and we watched her finally detangle herself from Reese, and wave to us.

She waddled toward us, her hand on her belly, and gave us thelook.Who pissed her off this time? Pregnant, hormonal Lu was a new beast. “I need a favor.”

“What, oil bleeding through your foundation? Need me to powder you?” Gigi raised her brow. “I will get that facebeatin a minute.”

Laurene placed her hand near her face. “Oh my God, do I look bad?”

“No,” I said and gave Gigi a look. “Absolutely not. You look perfect.”

Laurene seemed to calm down before exhaling deeply, looking over her shoulder.

“I’ve been watching the dessert table and people keep eating those raspberry tarts. I saw Mayor Castillo put three in his pocket. Don’t cause a scene, but I want some for later, and if I don’t, I might cry and that’ll make Reese fight the mayor, then he’ll go to jail, and my child won’t have a father?—”

I sighed loudly, and Gigi grinned.

“You want us to hide treats from the fine-ass mayor?” Gigi asked, and I just rolled my eyes. “I mean, I can do more than just distract him. Look at me.”