Page 49 of Lavish

“I need to grab my things from my apartment. You’re in the condo downtown, right?” he asked, his voice surprisingly soft.

I nodded.

“I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Seems you’ve got quite a bit on your plate,” Dante said. “Can I give you some advice?”

I’d forgotten he was still in the room. I turned to him, and I wondered how much of what he said was genuine and how much was merely another layer of the game we were all playing.

“In your world, appearances are just as important as reality. It’s about what’sperceived. Use it to your advantage.”

That sounded strangely similar to something Jenese would say.

“Thank you for the advice,” I said, unsure what to make of it.

Dante gave a small, enigmatic smile. “Anytime. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other, Mrs. Whitmore.”

CHAPTER 11

Miles

“No escape, Doughboy,”I told my cat.

I looked up at Serena’s condo. I was way later than I was supposed to be, but I found it hard to pack my stuff up and actually leave my home to come to…hell?

That was too dramatic.

Her place was too quiet. No protesters, no paparazzi, not even some angry old man with a picket sign and a bad comb-over.

I stood outside, suitcase in one hand, and the rest of my damn life in the other.

I’d hated her for six years. And now I’d have to hear her laughing in the next room? Smell her damn perfume down the hall? See her in pajamas at night and act like I don’t remember how she used to love me?

“Mrow,” Doughboy said, purring and rubbing against my face from his spot on my shoulder.

At least one of us wasn’t freaking out.

I finally exhaled deeply and knocked on her door. Seconds felt like centuries, and Doughboy shifted on my shoulder when I heard footsteps approaching and then they stopped.

“You gonna open the door?” I asked, staring at the peephole that I knew she was staring through.

Silence.

The door finally creaked open, and there she was, her face composed as ever, a mask I knew all too well. But then her gaze landed on Doughboy.

“What isthat?”

I glanced at him. “Doughboy.”

“It’s acat. Why is it here?”

“I’m not leaving him in my place alone.” Like I didn’t know she was stalling. “Where should I put my things?”

“Wait—” Serena stopped me from entering. “We didn’t talk about pets. They’re dirty and have fur. When did you get a cat?”

“You know I like cats. Where I go, he goes. Would it make you happier for me to call your mama and tell her we can’t do this marriage thing?”

Serena narrowed her eyes on me and then Doughboy. Like she was really considering banning us from coming in.