Page 99 of Ravaged By Lust

I was lost

I’ve been found

A million things

I thought would happen

But this is the best of all

You were there

From the start, from the beginning

Why did we never think

Why did we pretend

it wasn’t important

Because this is where

we’re supposed to be

A million things

I thought would happen

But this is the best of all

Maddie rushes up to me after the performance when I join Bishop for a glass of wine.

“You did so good,” she tells me enthusiastically. “Thank you.”

I look at Bishop. “I wouldn’t argue with that comment,” he says.

I let out a sigh of relief. I did do good. I really came into my own on there. Everyone applauded me. The world didn’t end. No one laughed me off stage.

Maybe things do change. Maybe I am no longer traumatized performing live.

And I have Bishop to thank for that.

My man is looking at something over both of our heads. “You wouldn’t believe what’s happening,” he says.

“What?” both Maddie and I ask him, turning in the direction of his gaze.

“Astrid and Winston are talking.”

I spot them across the room. Mom. Talking to that Winston guy.

Wow.

And she doesn’t look like she’s going to slap his face. He says something to her, and she actually freaking laughs. She then reaches out and touches his shoulder.

“Is she… flirting?” Maddie asks.

“Yes,” I reply. “I think she is.”

So I guess she isn’t going to kill us after all.