I force a smile, nodding. “I’m happy for you, Belle. Really.”
She pokes my side. “You better be. And don’t think you’re getting rid of me now. We’ll text, and you can call me. And we’ll still go out for bubble tea and go dancing every once in a while.”
“Sure.” I smile, trying to keep up the tough façade. Deep down, that ache of loneliness is creeping back in, knowing that soon, even that won’t be happening anymore.
The doorbell rings, and Good Lookin’ jumps up, startled, her fur puffing out as she races out the patio door, spooked.
Yeah, I didn’t know we had a doorbell either.
Annabelle laughs, springing to her feet. “Michael’s early!” she says with a smile, practically bouncing over to the door.
I set my takeout box on the coffee table, picking up a napkin to wipe my hands, at least trying not to look like a mess as Annabelle opens the door. The next second, she’s screaming.
What the hell?
My head snaps up, my heart hammering as I push off the couch, rushing toward the door. “Belle, what—” I start, only to freeze as I hear a familiar deep voice chuckle and say, “Nice to meet you too.”
Annabelle opens the door wider, and Levi and Koen step into the apartment. Their presence fills the small living room, making it feel even more cramped.
“TheLane brothersare in our apartment!” Annabelle whisper-shouts, her eyes wide, excitement written all over her face.
I roll my eyes, folding my arms over my chest. “Yeah, I can see that.”
Annabelle looks at Levi, then back at me, then back at Levi again. “I… I’m a big fan,” she mumbles, her cheeks flushing pink.
“That’s so nice of you to say,” Levi offers, giving her a charming smile. “What’s your name, girl?”
While Levi is busy charming Annabelle, Koen steps closer to me, his gaze fixed on mine. “Hey, Little Thief,” he says, smirking at me, but his eyes are cautious.
“What do you want?” I narrow mine at him, taking a step back. “And how the fuck do you know where I live?”
Koen raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms, the leather jacket protesting as his biceps tense. “I followed you after that… fuckup with the car. I wanted to make sure you got home safe.”
I blink at him, my mouth opening in surprise.
He did?
“Why do you even care? Worried about your asset?”
“Worried aboutyou, yes. You looked upset, and I was the reason for it. I’m sorry.”
What is it with today and everyone apologizing?
The words catch me off guard, and a mix of emotions swirls inside me—anger, confusion, and something I can’t quite put a name to.
Annabelle is giggling, and when I turn to see why, I see Levi signing his name on her cleavage.
Oh my God.
I swallow and turn back to Koen, whose gaze is still intent on me.
Trying to maintain my tough façade, I say, “You don’t need to apologize. It was your bossy friend who wanted me to steal that car.”
“Right, but I acted like an asshole, pulling you into that alley and keeping a hold on you there. You were already upset.”
“I wasn’t.”I so was.“I’m fine.”
“Sure you are.” Koen’s eyes search mine.
