At one point, Luka expressed his suspicions about Harper’s intentions when it comes to me. But we quickly put that to rest after I told him she’s innocent. I have to believe that not everyone in my life will betray me. And I’m starting with the first true female friend I’ve ever had.
Her eyes flutter in surprise. "Oh. Um. Two sugars, dash of whipped cream, please."
The doorthunksshut behind them.
And for a few glorious minutes, I'm just an omega again.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!" Harper demands, steering me over to the bed.
A laughing sigh gusts out of me because the idea of repeating my story, again, is exhausting.
But Harper purses her perfectly red lips and swivels her finger at me. "Oh no. None of that. Spill those guts."
So I do.
Harper gasps when I describe the kidnapping. She fists both her hands and brings them to her lips when I describe Pedro. She bounces on the bed when I talk about how I used my panties. Shrieks and grabs my hand when I describe my escape.
"OH. MY. GOD. If-I-liked-girls-I'd-fall-in-love-with-you-this-instant. That is the most amazing, most badass story I've ever heard." Her hand comes to her chest as she says, "You're my hero."
"Stop that." I shove at her shoulder.
"What? It's true." She shakes her head as she stares at me, a starry look in her eyes.
My cheeks turn a dozen shades of red and are fire-hot as I stare down at the comforter. "Well, this hero needs your help."
"Always. What are besties for?"
Her answer is so casual. So flippant.
She doesn't realize how it craters me. Her claim smashes right through my ribs and sends a pulsing ache rippling through me. It bashes through the wall that I normally keep up between me and the world.
Besties.
My heart drums happily, faster and faster while my thoughts scatter like a handful of beads dropped on the floor. Bouncing. Shiny. Rolling every which way.
A smile stretches so far across my cheeks that it threatens to morph into a sob, and I have to swallow it down because it would be stupid to cry over a claim of friendship.
Don't be stupid, Brylee,I coach myself.
My eyes fill anyway, and I have to blink rapidly, reaching up to swipe away the excess.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah. Dust or something," I lie.
"So, what's this badass feat we're pulling off? I can do way more complicated stuff than buy a zillion perfumes, you know."
"I know," I assure her.
But before I can divulge my plans, the guys are back with coffee and croissants. We have to divert course to small talk.
Then Harper checks her watch. "Ugh, I have to get to class."
"Come see me tomorrow?" I ask. "At the palace?"
She nods enthusiastically. "I'll make sure the dungeon master lets me out."
Then, with a quick hug, she darts off.
