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“Thanks, Mia,” I said, smiling at her in the mirror’s reflection. She’d somehow managed to achieve the perfect balance of accentuating my features without also making it look like I’d tried too hard.
“You’re hot.” She grinned appreciatively. “Tell Reed he can thank me later.”
“Of course, that’s the first thing I’ll tell him.” I glanced at the time on my phone. Reed was supposed to be here to pick me up ten minutes ago, and I was surprised I hadn’t received a message saying he was running late.
“What is it?” Mia asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” I replied, double-checking my phone to see if I’d missed a call or text. “Reed’s just running late.”
“Uh, about that…” Mia tucked her hands into her pockets, a guilty look on her face. “He might be here already.”
“What?”
“Yeah, he arrived when I went downstairs to grab my hair straightener. I wasn’t done with you yet, so I told him to wait in the living room.”
“Mia,” I groaned. “Why didn’t you tell me? What if Luke’s in there grilling him?”
“Uh, I think he is…”
“Are you kidding me?” I quickly grabbed my bag off the bed and raced downstairs. Ten minutes with Luke and it wouldn’t matter what I felt for Reed. Fake or not, our relationship would probably be over.
I hurried to the living room but stopped by the door when I heard laughing coming from within. I cautiously edged into the room and saw Reed was sitting in an armchair chatting freely with Luke who was on the couch opposite. There was no pained look in Reed’s eyes and no anger, disgust, or suspicion on Luke’s face. The two of them were both smiling and talking.
Reed jumped up from his chair as soon as he saw me enter the room. His eyes lit up, and he gave me a warm smile. He started to walk toward me but bumped into the coffee table and almost tripped.
I spluttered out a laugh. He was blushing, and it was actually really cute.
“Hey,” he said, his deep voice rumbly and all too familiar as he came to stand before me.
“Hey, yourself. Are you okay? That coffee table nearly took you out.”
“I’ll survive,” he said, still slightly red in the cheeks. “You look gorgeous.”
My cheeks flushed just as bright as his at the compliment. The moment didn’t last long though because Luke cleared his throat.
“The coffee table won’t be the only thing injuring you if you keep looking at my niece that way.”
There was the Luke I knew and loved. I guessed whatever joke he and Reed had been sharing before I came in was short-lived.
“Uncle Luke, don’t–” I started to complain.
“It’s okay, Violet,” Luke said, lifting himself off the couch and coming to stand near us. “I’m only joking.”
“You are?” Now I was even more confused than when I’d seen them laughing and chatting together.
“Well, no, I’m not joking. I’m actually deadly serious,” he said, raising an eyebrow at Reed. “But don’t worry, I’d give the same threat to any boy who takes you out. I think this one might actually be all right though.”
“You do?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“Yeah.” Luke shrugged. “Reed and I just had a little chat, and I think we’ve come to an understanding. And, while I’m not going to go so far as to say I totally trust him yet, I do trust you. And if you like Reed, then I guess I like Reed too.”
He made his point by giving Reed a firm slap on the back, and I couldn’t help but let a grin pull at my lips. Reed also seemed to be holding back a smirk, and he gave me a subtle wink.
“Okay…” I said, unsure what exactly had just happened. “Thanks, Luke.”
He nodded before turning to Reed. “Just remember, you do anything to upset Violet, and the coffee table will be the least of your problems.”
I expected Reed to look embarrassed or concerned, at the very least. But he turned to Luke and smiled. “Understood. I’ll be the perfect gentlemen.”
