Page 61 of Solar Shadows

“No.”

Oh, good. “It’s just I have no idea how to balance my life. I guess I’m about to find out.”

He pulled up to a roundabout, used it to take the third exit onto a country lane. “This might not sound like much, but you’re not alone. We’ve all got your back.”

If I wasn’t sat in this car seat, I’d have toppled over in shock. Did he really say that? Did Ollie Lovell really just offer me comfort?

Whoa. I couldn’t help the upward trajectory of my lips. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

He didn’t say anything for the rest of the drive, but I held onto those kind words.

The words of a friend.

I liked the idea of us being friends. Fuck all my nonsense. It would cool down my overheated bullshit and make way for friendship.

I kept on smiling until we reached a secluded layby tucked away from the road beneath a huge oak tree. It was pitch black, only the headlights providing illumination.

Another car was parked there, a silver Mercedes. Nice. The Brambles said another of those secret supporters of House Aurora had provided it.

“I guess I could roll up in that,” I whispered.

The nerves took over again. When I arrived at The Coral, it wouldn’t be long until I caused a stir.

I released a shaky breath as Ollie killed the engine.

The Brambles got out of the Mercedes, popping umbrellas. Alice came and opened my door, giving me the five-star treatment, sheltering me from the rain as she escorted me to the other car.

“You didn’t need to do that,” I said.

“Happy to, sir.”

I glanced back before I got in, Ollie’s door still closed, April waiting there with her back to it.

“He’s changing, sir,” Alice revealed.

“Oh.”

My clothes were carefully laid out on the back seat.

Yes. Changing separately. Why would we change in the same car? And why did my cheeks start heating?

Darn it!

“Thanks.” I swallowed the potion and climbed inside before I removed my clothes and slipped on a tight teal shirt and white, crystal-encrusted jeans. Put on some teal shoes, and a sparkly white jacket to match the jeans. Fixed my hair in the hand mirror, applied a touch of lip gloss, and sprayed on some cologne.

“Looking good,” I told myself, moving the mirror up and down my body.

An attention-grabbing outfit, nothing lowkey about it. Yes, I could’ve gone with a less flashy look, but when in supermodel mode…

All shiny like a Christmas bauble, I indicated to Alice that I was ready.

I watched April escort Ollie to the car through the tinted windows, their bodies cutting through the beams of the headlights. Ollie climbed into the driver’s seat, dressed in a black suit, totally hot, and totally causing a stir between my legs.

“Call us when you’re leaving,” April said. “We’ll do this again in reverse.”

“Will do,” Ollie answered.

“Thank you,” I contributed.