Page 78 of The Summer We Lie

"You'll be amazing," I assured her, squeezing her hand across the table, even though I knew nothing about the place except that it changed my life in ways I still can't fully comprehend. The irony wasn't lost on me—me comforting her about a place she introduced me to.

The next few hours were a dizzying blur of stores, cramped dressing rooms, and Harper's enthusiastic "Just try it on!" echoing in my ears. I couldn't bring myself to spend much of Dom's money, despite his insistence. It felt wrong somehow, like I was taking advantage or confirming I was exactly what I feared—someone he bought. I did get a few things though—a new pair of jeans that actually fit my curves right, some high-quality art supplies I've been eyeing forever but could never justify, and one particular black and emerald lingerie set that made me blush crimson just looking at it in the mirror.

"I'll text Dad and see if he's doing anything for dinner," Harper says now, pulling out her phone and tapping away, her freshly manicured nails clicking against the screen. "He said no, but he can order us something. What sounds good?"

"I'm so hungry I could eat anything, so I don't care," I say, trying to keep my voice light and ignore the flutter in my stomach at the mention of Dom.

"What about pizza and a movie? We can even watch one of those old 90s movies you like," she offers with a teasing smile.

"That sounds perfect," I say, and it really does. While Harper chatters excitedly about which pizza toppings to get, debating the merits of pineapple versus pepperoni, I check my phone. Several texts from Justin about some new fossil discovery complete with multiple exclamation points and an email from...Obsidian.

My heart stops dead in my chest. I open it with trembling fingers, suddenly cold despite the warm California evening.

FROM: Obsidian Elite Services [[email protected]]

TO: Cherry Red [[email protected]]

SUBJECT: Auction Results- Exclusive Arrangement

Dear Cherry Red,

We are pleased to inform you that we have received confirmation of the successful completion of your auction agreement. As per the terms of your contract, your payment of $1,200,000 will be wired to your designated bank account within the next 24 hours.

With appreciation for your discernment,

The Obsidian Management

This communication is encrypted and intended solely for the addressed recipient. Any unauthorized access is tracked and legally actionable under our membership agreement.

What the hell? Did Dom tell them we consummated? I mean, he had to for them to send this email, right? I feel tears springing to my eyes but hold them back and close my phone with a shaky fingers, trying to act normal while my insides crumble. I really thought what happened between us was more than just fulfilling the auction, but I guess I was wrong. It's still just a transaction to him—a contract completed, payment rendered.

I know this shouldn't be a surprise, shouldn't hurt like a knife twisting in my gut, but it does. It hurts like a physical pain in my chest, pressing against my ribs until I can barely breathe, making every heartbeat a struggle.

When we get home, Dom comes out to help us get our bags out of the car, his tall frame filling the doorway. I try not to stare at the way his t-shirt stretches across his shoulders or how good he looks in his sweatpants.

"I ordered pizza. It should be here soon," he says, effortlessly lifting several shopping bags that had me struggling.

"Okay, let's get our bags up and change into something comfy for the movie," Harper says, gathering her mountain of purchases. "You can join us if you want, Dad."

"For a movie?" he asks, eyebrows raised in surprise, like the concept of relaxation is foreign to him.

"Yep," she nods enthusiastically.

"What movie?"

"Don't know yet, but something old probably because Skye's picking," she says, dragging her bags up the stairs, leaving a trail of shopping bags behind her.

I grab my few bags and walk to my room, trying desperately not to cry, but traitorous tears fall anyway, blurring my vision. Dom is right behind me, his presence like a physical force against my back.

"Skye," he says, his deep voice stopping me in my tracks. I turn to face him, hoping he can't see the devastation I'm feeling.

"What's wrong?" he asks, closing the distance between us and wiping my tears with his thumbs, his touch impossibly gentle for such strong hands.

"Nothing, it's stupid," I say, looking down at my feet, unable to meet his intense gaze.

"It's not stupid if it's upsetting you," he says, his voice softening in a way that makes more tears threaten.

"I need to change before Harper comes back," I say and walk into my room. I set the bags at the foot of my bed and grab my sleep shorts and a tank top, walking into the bathroom to escape, but Dom follows me in and closes the door with a soft click.