Page 183 of Lucky Mother Pucker

My head is throbbing, and my lungs feel tight.

I make myself take a deep breath, but it doesn’t help. I still feel like I’m about to pass out.

I keep walking, even as the snowfall gets heavier. My fingers and toes start to go numb from being out in the snow and cold, but I don’t stop. I keep going.

Lucy.

She’s the only one I want right now. But I can’t go to her. Not when I’m like this.

So I keep walking through the city, in the dark, snow piling high around me, until I’m so cold that I’m shaking and my teeth are chattering.

With trembling hands, I pull my phone out of my pocket. I know what I need to do.

Chapter 65

Lucy

“Where did Leo go?” Alessia asks.

“I think he went to check on Zoey and Jeff,” I say. “They should be here somewhere.”

Alessia leaves to grab a drink from the bartender. I set my empty champagne glass on the standing table, then look around the restaurant. It’s been a while since Leo left. At least ten minutes.

Just then, I see Zoey walk in from the back of the restaurant. I smile as she makes her way over to us, but then I notice the pained look on her face.

Her mascara is smudged, and her face is red. She’s been crying.

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Something happened.”

When I grab her hand, I notice how hard she’s shaking. “Zoey, what’s wrong?”

Her lips tremble. “Leo and Jeff got into a fight.” She sniffles. “Because of me.”

“What? Zoey, what do you mean?”

She closes her eyes, then looks around before pulling me to the back of the restaurant. We’re in a quiet hallway near where the restrooms are.

She blinks, and tears fall down her cheeks. She quickly wipes them away.

“What happened?” I ask again.

“Jeff and I had an argument in the alley behind the restaurant. Leo overheard us.”

“Oh…” I’m confused. “Wait, Leo and Jeff got into a fight about that?”

Her shoulders are hunched over like she’s embarrassed. “No, it was more than that. I…” She trails off as her voice starts to tremble. “Jeff puts his hands on me.”

“Oh my god.”

More tears fall down her face. “That’s when Leo hit him. He was defending me.”

My head spins as I process everything she just told me.

“Leo told me to go inside,” Zoey says.

I pull her into a hug. “Are you okay?”