She’s amazing. Absolutely incredible.
I can’t help smiling the whole time, even though I probably shouldn’t. It makes me look like I don’t take the charges seriously, or so my attorney says, but come on. How am I supposed tonotsmile when Lor is only feet away from me?
And the way she owns every single answer, and has evidence to back herself up while on the stand is so impressive. I mean, I know my attorney helped prepare her just the same as she helped me, but still. I’m thrilled to see Lor in person after two weeks of no contact, and I don’t care one bit that she’s lying to help me. In fact, my inner demon is delighted at her manipulation of the system.
I have no idea where the “evidence” of my bike outside her apartment all night came from, because it sure as hell wasn’t there even once that night. I keep that to myself though, obviously. I’ll ask her later, when I’m out of here.
After hours that pass in minutes, thanks to my gorgeous distraction, I’m declared not guilty, and taken to retrieve my belongings before I’m released back into the general public.The fresh air has never felt so crisp, and the sun never felt so welcoming. Perhaps it’s a bit of a dramatic thought, but I indulge myself in it regardless, as I close my eyes and tip my head back.
I can’t believe I got away with that.
After everyone has dispersed and I’ve thanked my badass attorney, my eyes land on Lor. My smile hasn’t dropped since we came back from the recess, yet somehow it gets even bigger now. My nails have almost no paint left on them, and I wasn’t afforded any makeup during my brief stint in jail, so I feel a touch out of place as I ruffle a hand through my hair. She doesn’t seem to care though, as I jog over and sweep her into a hug.
Lor lets out an “oomph” at the contact, and her muscles are tense for a long moment before she relaxes into my hold.
“What were you thinking?” she hisses in my ear.
I set her down and immediately palm the back of her head to pull her into a kiss. The surprised noise she makes as she melts beneath my lips is music to my ears. I figure it’s probably not the place for a make-out session, so I pull back much sooner than I want to.
“I missed you,” I say, swiping a strand of silver hair out of her face.
I cup her jaw between my palms and let my eyes feast on her. She’s so fucking gorgeous it makes my heart hurt.
Lor’s lips twitch into a small smile, and then she steps out of my hold.
“Come on,” she says. “Since your bike isn’t here, you can ride bitch on mine.”
I cackle with delight, and she spins away, but not before I see the answering grin stretch across her face.
I swing on behind her and she revs the engine, handing me my helmet.
“How’d you get this?” I ask.
“You’re not the only one with some tricks up your sleeve.”
Honestly, could I be any more in love?
I band my arms tight around her, pleased when she doesn’t protest my viselike grip. She’s literally perfect. Smart, fierce, strong and resilient, loyal. I’ve always heard perfect isn’t possible, but obviously whoever said that hasn’t met Lor.
The wind whips around us as she tears out of the parking lot, and I let out an exhilarated, laughing whoop as I throw an arm out in celebration. I set a warehouse on fire, threatened Lor’s ugly, blackmailing boss, and got away with all of it. I just hope it made a difference.
Lor twists around at a red light and pushes her visor up.
“I know you haven’t been home in weeks, but,” she grimaces. “I have to…”
She gestures toward her chest and her nose wrinkles, then she looks to the horizon. Ah, her star-chaser magic.
“You feel it?” I ask, pressing my palm to her sternum.
Lor nods, and the light turns green, but she doesn’t go yet.
“Let’s go then,” I say, jerking my chin forward.
“You don’t want me to drop you off?”
I scoff. “Do you know me? I’m not leaving your side if I don’t have to.”
Lor rolls her eyes and flips her visor back down. Soon enough, we’re shooting down a country road to the middle of nowhere, and then she’s off the bike, stalking through a section of forest until she finds what she’s looking for. Her hair shimmers in the dappled light beneath the trees, and the peaceful sounds of the forest surround us as I stumble over roots in her wake.
