Page 179 of Pretty When She Breaks

“Where's the fun in that?” Jewel said. He was wearing a large t-shirt and jeans, with basic sneakers. I raised an eyebrow.

“Ugh, I know,” he said, wrinkling his nose as he saw where I was looking. “I figured I shouldn't draw attention orwhatever. Besides, I don't even have anything nice to wear. We’ll need a driver.” He looked pointedly at my alphas.

“I can go,” Kaos volunteered, standing up and stretching. He and Jewel seemed to get along quite well.

“Right. I’ve got some scent blockers, if you don’t mind,” Jewel replied.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Finch said, eyeing Kaos.

“What, you want to spend some more quality time with me?” Jewel said, fluttering his lashes. Finch rolled his eyes.

“Thought so. Come along, both of you. I need new clothes, like yesterday.”

“JEWEL!” Jade's angry shout floated through the door he’d left open.

“Not thongs, though,” he said with a wink, herding us toward the door. “Ta-ta!”

Jewel sighed as he settled in the back seat.

“How are you doing?” he asked, after I strapped in. I gave him a shy smile.

“Good. So good,” I said. “It kind of doesn’t seem real, you know? But we did it.”

“That we did,” Jewel replied with satisfaction.

The first place we went was to the Crimson Palace’s spa to get a mani-pedi. The staff gave Jewel a couple of odd looks when he walked in. Kaos perched on a chair, giving us some space, which I appreciated.

“Do you think they’ll recognize you?” I asked, eyeing them. We hadn’t officially announced Jewel’s return yet, but Jewel shrugged.

“I’m dead, remember? And I was an alpha.” He pointed at his golden eyes. “I don’t think we have to worry.”

“This is heaven,” Jewel said as we got our feet massaged. “They’re doing a much better job than you ever did, Laurel.”

“Shut up!” I said, grinning. I was just delighted we could be doing this out in public together finally. It was a dream come true.

Jewel sighed as he looked at his glossy emerald nails, sharpened to claws.

“I tried doing my own fake nails and gel, you know. Never really got the hang of it. Now, look at these! I could take someone’s eyes out.”

“Please don’t,” I said. “It would be so much work keeping you out of prison.”

“Makes me wish I kept Dax alive a little longer…” he said wistfully. Then, he brightened.

“Come on! Let’s go get some treats.”

Then we went to a little café, and ordered lattes and pastries.

I caught Jewel staring at me as I finished my croissant.

“What?” I asked, brushing my face off in case I had any crumbs,

“You’re just… all grown up,” he said, reaching over and squeezing my hand. “I know you’re not sixteen anymore, and I missed all of it. Suddenly you’re this boss bitch omega, which is great, don’t get me wrong. But you know.”

He reached over and pinched my cheek.

“Is my sweet baby sister still in there somewhere?”

“Fuck off,” I said, swatting him away. He tutted.