Page 88 of True Colors

Is this the part where he realizes I’m too much? Too complicated? Too broken in ways that don’t show until you’re close enough to feel them?

Is he getting ready to dump me?

Stop it, Anouk, don’t give your insecurities a microphone into your soul. You’ll only hurt yourself. Don’t be the person who assumes the worst and shrinks before anything has actually happened.

Luther shifts, his hand sliding along my arm, fingers lacing with mine. The contact steadies me.

In the morning, sunlight spills across the bed, pale and forgiving. He’s already awake, watching me like he’s been doing it for a while.

“Morning,” he murmurs.

“Morning.”

He kisses my forehead. Then my nose. Then my mouth. Softly, like we have all the time in the world.

Whatever I’m afraid of doesn’t live in that kiss.

Still, as I get dressed, pulling on the change of clothes I brought with me, I know something ominous is hovering at the edges and that the ground under my feet isn’t quite as solid as it was a moment ago.

CHAPTER 20

Luther

The office is quieter than it’s been in weeks.

The decks are locked. The numbers are final. There’s nothing left to tweak without breaking something.

Tomorrow, the board arrives, including my father and my Godfather.

I should feel ready, but I don’t. Instead, I feel like I’m standing on a fault line.

I’m in my office reviewing notes for the tenth time when Erin knocks and walks in without waiting for an answer.

She closes the door behind her with a soft thud. It’s her way of telling me she’s annoyed.

“Luther, have you updated the agenda slide?”

I know what she’s asking. And, yes, I’ve done what I knew I had to, what my gut says is wrong, but my head knows is right.

“Yeah, it’s done.”

“Show it to me.”

I turn my laptop, and she looks through it; her brows go up in surprise.

“What?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think you’d do it.”

I didn’t either. Removing Anouk’s name as a presenter took me days. Now, I have to tell her, and I wasn’t sure how to do that.

My spine stiffens. “What does that mean?”

Erin hooks a hand at her waist, cocking her hip like she’s claiming victory. “You really thought I didn’t know?”

Fuck! Does she know about Anouk and me? Honestly, I’d be fine with it, but I know my starling will hate it.

She arches an eyebrow smugly. “You’re not as subtle as you think. The late nights. The way you look at her in meetings. The way you shut people down when they interrupt her.”