Page 151 of Lucas

Fresh tears threaten at her fierce conviction.

“For the record, it was wrong of me to ever make you feel you needed their approval. I don’t think I like them anymore, either. I just didn’t want to let go of my good memories.” Her voice wobbles. “I hope you can forgive me for that.”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” I insist, squeezing her hands. “We’ve both been playing pretend for far too long, I think. Trying to be shiny and cheerful with people that don’t fit us. Not anymore.”

Michelle barks out a watery laugh. “God, we’re a mess, aren’t we?”

“The messiest,” I agree. “But there’s no one I’d rather be a beautiful disaster with.”

We cling to each other for a long moment, sniffling and giggling in equal measure.

“How about a new topic before we turn into complete sobbing wrecks?” I suggest, dabbing at my cheeks with a napkin. “Tell me, how are things with Noah? Still in the honeymoon phase?”

A dreamy expression crosses her face. “That man is amazing. I’m talking grade-A, write-home-to-mama, call-the-Vatican-‘cause-it’s-a-miracle level oral skills.”

I gag on my coffee. “Jesus, ‘Chelle!”

She cackles. “What? Don’t even pretend Lucas doesn’t have a talented tongue. I saw the way you waddled after a night with him.”

“Okay, you may have a point,” I concede. “The man could win gold medals for his linguistic prowess.”

“I bet he could. Which is yet another reason you need to quit dicking around and go get your man!” She punctuates this with a decisive slurp of her now-melted shake.

I narrow my eyes. “By the way, you didn’t know about this whole corporate espionage revenge porn plot of his in advance, did you? Did Noah tell you anything?”

“Excuse you? No, I damn well did not! Frankly, I’m offended you even need to ask. You’re my ride-or-die woman. It’s chicks over dicks, bros before hoes, ovaries before brovaries. I would never hide something like this from you.”

The laugh that erupts from me feels rusty from disuse, but God is it good. “Okay, okay! Message received.”

“I’m just saying,” she sniffs. “My loyalty is ironclad, bitch. Doubting me should be a criminal offense.”

“Duly noted. I hereby absolve you of all imaginary crimes and sentence you to be my bestie for life.”

“I accept my punishment with gratitude and humility,” she chants, then ruins it by grinning. “Anyway, let’s get back to the issue at hand, a/k/a you quitting this noble self-sacrificing martyr act and going after what you want.”

I heave a sigh, gaze distant as I recall the sheer unflagging determination Lucas has shown. “He’s been coming by my place every morning. Just to say hello and give me the puppy eyes before I leave for work.”

Michelle whistles. “Damn. That’s some rom-com-level devotion right there.”

“Especially considering he lives so far out of town, and yet, he just keeps showing up, day after day.”

I meet Michelle’s calculating stare. “So what are you going to do about it?”

I take a deep breath, resolve solidifying in my bones. “I think... I think I’m going to go to this event with him. At least hear him out.”

“Atta girl,” she says. “Though I doubt there’ll be much talking, the sexual tension alone might cause a fire.”

My face flames, but I can’t help the little thrill that goes through me at the prospect. “You’re a menace, and I hate you.”

“Stop. You adore me,” she says. Then her expression turns serious. “For real, though, take it slow, okay? Make him work for it. You’re the catch here, and don’t let him forget it.”

I nod. “Any pro tips on resisting the Valeur charm? I’ve never been very good at playing hard to get.”

Michelle throws her head back and laughs. “Oh, honey.When you look the way you do? All you have to do is breathe to have him panting at your Louboutins.”

She stands and clasps my hand, tugging me toward the door. “Now let’s go get you gussied up because you, my dear, have a man to dazzle and a future to reclaim.”

An unexpected swell of excitement surges through my veins as I let her pull me out of the café and into the bright sunlight. She’s right.