Page 67 of Secret Seduction

But all four of these women have made it a point to be nice to me. They text and call to ask how I’m doing. Peyton got me the job at Hotel Blu. Bri recommended me to a few of the women who attend her Pilates studio, and they’ve contacted me, wanting custom outfits. And Dani has been so helpful, answering any questions I have about taking care of Leo.

Once I’m safe and Lorenzo and I get an annulment and I move back to Seattle, I hope to stay in touch with them because I think I’ll miss them.

But not as much as I’ll miss Lorenzo and Leo.

The thought causes a lump of emotion to clog my throat.

“Hey, why the long face?” Nicole asks. “Contrary to what you seem to believe, birthdays are meant to be celebrated, and we’re all about to get pampered, thanks to your hubby.” She winks playfully, and I push my negative thoughts to the side.

“I know,” I choke out. “I’m just so appreciative of how nice you guys have been to me. I’ve never been one to have a bunch of friends. And after what I did, I wouldn’t expect you to be so kind to me.”

“None of that.” Bri scoffs. “We’ve all done shit to survive. What the mayor did is fucked up, and you did what you had to do to save yourself. Besides, if Lorenzo isn’t mad at the turn of events, how can we be?”

Memories of waking up this morning to Lorenzo eating me out have me blushing. No, he’s definitely not mad at the turn of events—at least not anymore.

“Oh my God, are you and Lorenzo together, together?” Nicole asks.

“What?” I squeak.

“You’re totally fucking,” Peyton says.

“Peyton,” Bri chides, “don’t be so crass.” Then she looks at me. “You guys are totally fornicating.”

Peyton snorts out a laugh, and Dani groans.

“No, we’re not talking about this,” Dani says. “I like you, but I don’t want to imagine my brother having sex.”

“We’re not having sex,” I say, not wanting to let them believe that when it’s not the truth.

I’ve already lied once about having sex with Lorenzo …

“Well, you’re doing something,” Bri says, “because that blush that crept on your cheeks is sex-related.”

“Are we here to have a spa day or talk about my brother’s sex life?” Dani whines.

“Both,” Peyton and Bri say before falling into peals of laughter.

“I’m here for the pampering,” I say. “I can’t even remember the last time I got a good pedicure.”

My toes are painted a soft pink.

My fingernails the same color.

My brows have been threaded.

I had the best facial and massage.

And the hairdresser just finished giving me a fresh balayage, cut, and blow-dry.

Because Lorenzo is having his tech-slash-hacker guy check out all my devices, I haven’t had a phone all day, and I’m surprised—though I guess not really—by how much I miss chatting with him.

He’s sent Dani a few pictures of Leo to show me—including one of both Lorenzo and Leo wishing me a happy birthday—and I think it’s safe to say that those two have stolen my heart, and I don’t want it back. How I’m going to return to Seattle once I’m safe I have no clue—but I will because my future is too important and I refuse to be anything like my mom, putting a man above my career.

“Put this on,” Bri says, handing me a bag with an extremely expensive designer label on it.

“If you don’t like my outfit, just say that,” I joke.

“You look cute. You always do, but you need to be it’s my birthday hot.”