“Let me finish your lipstick,” Hendrix growls impatiently, his eyes filling with heated challenge. “And then perhaps you should explain what the heck is going on now?”
It’s perfect—the way they distract me from the issue of Lawson by getting me to focus on my girlfriends, all while continuing to shower me in their care—Hendrix doing my makeup is a prime example, as is Dominic asking about Tristan.
We’re so close to Verdune though we barely have time for Hendrix to finish my lipstick and we’re pulling up behind Tristan’s SUV.
Hendrix and Ryder both reach for the doors to get out, and act like my security, but I stop them. “Please, wait. I want to see her interacting with them. They’re not just her security. I think they’re her pack.”
Hendrix runs his hand up my back and I know why, all this guilt I’ve been carrying about lying might strangely be the thing the four of us girls unwittingly share.
Two Alphas climb out of the SUV first. Both of them arepretty savage looking. They are definitely not Tristan's usual security team. When she gets out and a different Alpha pulls her close to him, the lines that should be between client and guard are further blurred when he speaks to her. I don’t need to hear the words; his concern is as obvious as the intimacy they share—it’s in the way he moves around her and touches her. Like when I saw her truck stopped at the lights, it’s apparent their conversation centres around making sure Tristan is okay.
Her head bobs up and down, and the Alpha in front of her taps his fingers to his chest then to hers before he leads her inside, the other Alpha coming up behind her. He turns at the last minute, and his face is vaguely familiar.
“You guys need to go,” Dominic says, pulling the truck into the spot Tristan’s just left. He turns, his eyes softening. “Amore Mio, enjoy this time with your girlfriend. We’re all here, nothing is getting through us.”
Ryder and Hendrix climb out, scanning the area quickly, once he’s happy I’m safe Hen lifts me out. The instant my feet are on the ground we become different people in a sense. Out here in the world, they become my protectors. We’re just hiding, but they’re also protecting my heart for a little longer.
Each step I take further inside Verdune only solidifies the certainty within me—I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Tristan’s scent adds another layer of confirmation, reinforced by the smile and excited squeal she lets out when she sees me.
Before our arms even close around each other, I know, with every piece of me, that all the angst I’ve been dumping on myself has been for this. To be there for these times, and sometimes those times are going to be hard to face, but infinitely easier with my Scorned Girls’ support.
“Tris, what’s wrong?”I saw you. I know something happened, and it’s okay because something happened to metoo.Because now I am this close, I can feel how close Tristan is to falling apart. And that is not her. She is one of the strongest people I know.
She lets her head rest on my shoulder, her arms banding stronger.Falling apart at the seams. Everything hurts so fucking bad.“I’m okay, I promise. I will be okay, Sim.”Please don’t ask me to explain, I just need to hold you.
Always, Tris. Always.I do what she asks of me and be there for her. If all Tristan can cope with is a cuddle or two, and a bit of telepathic communication (real or not), or a place to catch her breath, then I will show up and be what she needs.
We stay in our snuggle, simply absorbing the haven of our friendship. My mind drifts, teasing me with reminders that everyone has their own story—and sometimes, the right thing to do is not to ask questions.
I need this.
I do too.I fill up on her bubble-gum scent, trying to use mine as a Band-Aid over her obviously bruised heart.
We’re interrupted by the sound of a door opening behind us, revealing a woman who looks every bit the part of an assistant to a high-powered executive. Her first few words confirm my assumption.
“Ladies, I’m Gracey, Miss Holmes’ personal assistant…”
I only half pay attention. The other half of me watches as Hendrix and Ryder step closer to me because they’re not sure who she is. At the same time the two Alphas that came in with Tristan make it obvious they’re going wherever she goes. Except apparently that doesn’t apply to Heidi’s office.
Only Tristan and I get entrance to Heidi’s office and the door opens. Heidi’s apple scent rushes out and my excitement takes over. I pretty much jump on her, hugging her tightly, then taking a few steps back to let Tristan do the same.
Heidi looks incredible. She radiates, and it comes from a place inside her. She has found her happiness.
“I truly wondered if we’d get here,” Heidi admits in between giving us both hugs and kisses. Her joy is infectious, and I easily get caught up in her excitement.
Tristan doesn’t. Heidi notices, but she manages to move quickest, catching our unusually subdued bestie by the wrist. Instead of falling into Heidi’s affections, Tristan turns away. Her voice is loud, but it’s obvious she’s completely lost. “Now is not the time or place.”
My chest feels like it’s caving in under the pressure of Tristan’s distress, but she’s also clearly determined not to explain what is going on. I understand, and despite wanting to shake her senseless until she spills her secrets and gives me ways to make her fix her sadness, I don’t move an inch or say a word. Same with Heidi.
Tristan takes a small inhale before a fake smile lights up her face, and she diverts all her energy and focus to Heidi. “You need to dazzle the crap out of the crowd. What’s the general consensus out there, Ho?”
Being gratuitous in her deflection, she pulls her skirt up, flashing her panties as she sits on the edge of Heidi’s desk. It’s over the top, even for Tristan.
Heidi has no issue deflecting with her, teasing her flippantly. “Lucky you’re a supermodel…”
I’m with them. And then I’m so far away from them. Ripped away by the vibration of my phone in my pocket. I plunge into a different space where my thoughts lock on the endless possibilities as to why Wren is messaging now. If it is even her.
Am I too late? Is she saying I can’t come? Is Lawson sick? Is there some other drama that is going to rip me apart?
