Page 77 of Promise of Punishment

“Maybe you’ll meet him at your new job.”

“Maybe.” She plays with one of her tight curls. “Or maybe I don’t want a guy in the traditional sense, smothering me and taking away all my fun.”

“Or that.” Noah’s always been a free bird. I want her to be happy in whatever way she prefers. “If it weren’t for you and your mom, I never would have lasted as long as I did. You know that, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“You’re the only family I have left.”

“That’s not true.” A fond smile breaks across her face. She lifts my hand and searches my fingers. “Where’s the ring?”

“I’ve been wondering that same thing. I don’t think he was serious.” While I’ve said this to myself a lot, it’s the first time I’ve said it out loud. I pull my hand back and tuck it under the other one on my lap.

“No way. That man declared you as his fiancée to all of us.”

“We haven’t talked about it since. I think it was one of those feels-right-in-the-moment things.”

“Uh-uh.” She shakes her head. “He walked in here with you in his arms like you were his bride.”

“No ring says caught-up-in-the-moment to me.”

“You don’t make a statement that grand and not mean it.” She stands. “He’s probably planning it here, and you’ll wake up one day to find a wedding is about to take place.”

“Oh shit.” The room gets warm. “I hope not. I don’t even know his family or friends.”

“You know the Lords.”

“I partied with them and served them. It’s different. Oh god. Just thinking about being around his friends is making me sweat.” I fan my face.

“You’d better figure out a way to get over it. I’m sure he’ll want you to meet them all.”

I spring to my feet.

Noah shoots me a look that says sit down. “Listen.” She hangs more clothes in the box. “You may have grown up to be a housekeeper, but you weren’t born one. You were born rich. You have blue blood. It was passed down from assholes, but it’s still yours. And if your dad had been a better person, you would have lived a privileged life. The life you’re now going to live with Wes and all his nobility and wealth. Just remember, chin up, and don’t let that crown fall.”

I run over and hug her before she can protest.

She gasps at my sudden attack, then squeezes me back. “I’m so mad at you for running right now.”

Someone knocks on the bedroom door.

We pull apart and blink at each other with glittering eyes.

“Come in,” Noah calls out.

Ashlyn walks in, her light brown hair in a messy bun atop her head. She raises her brows in question. “Everything good here?”

“Of course,” Noah says.

“I’m packed and ready to go.” She’s leaving with Noah. I don’t blame her. Serving at a cool club will be more fun than working here. Her gaze lands on me, and her gray eyes narrow.

“What?”

“You look different.”

“My hair is down.” I pull the length of it over my shoulder. “I hardly ever wore it down before.”

“No. It’s your energy. You used to look tense, like you were waiting for someone to jump out and scare you. Now you look… lighter.”