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“Man, Cami must be getting the D regularly then to stay away from Lark and Seb. Honestly, I don’t know why she still needs more than them. Seb is dreamy,” she sighed, leaning back against the door.
I froze for a millisecond, my natural tendency to protect and watch out for my friends rising up. Was Stacy badmouthing Cami, or had it been an innocent comment? I thought about it, trying to play it through my head again.
This was when growing up secluded with only criminals as friends always bit me in the ass. Because from my experience, it was always a snide remark, but for ordinary girls, maybe it was just a throwaway statement.
“What do you mean?” I asked, deciding I needed more information to make a decision.
“Seb’s a hunk, that’s all. He’s so in love with Cami, too; it’s so obvious. I’m just waiting to meet someone who looks at me that way. Kind of like how that hunky guy who follows Loren around looks at you.”
My face heated, and I turned in the mirror, watching the dress move around me. “Who?” I asked, playing dumb.
“You know, the tall, dark, and mysterious one whose eyes track your every move. What is it, Bogart?”
“It’s Beau,” I said, then realized my mistake.
“Knew it! You’re so crushing on him!”
“No, I’m not. I just… know his name. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Sure.” She grinned at me, letting it go for now. “I think this is perfect. I know some shoes you can add as well.”
“Awesome. You’re a lifesaver, girl.”
“No problem. I’m glad you called. I hadn’t heard from any of you in a few days, and I was starting to get worried I’d done something wrong.”
“What do you mean?” Instantly, I felt terrible. We’d probably been unconsciously avoiding her with everything going on in our lives. It was hard to have friends outside the mafia for this reason. Not that I was in the mafia, more like mafia adjacent.
“Well, I, um, kind of slept with that blonde hottie.”
“Blonde hottie?” I looked at her, confused. The only guy I could think of was Monroe, and that would violate girl-code.
“Yeah, you know, the one with the,” she motioned her arms to make big biceps. I scrambled through the people in our lives, trying to figure out who. Not Monroe then. He was fit, but not buff.
“No clue. I’m sure you’re fine.” I laughed, putting my clothes back on as I handed her the dress.
“Well, let me just say, he’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Like, whoa!”
Giggling, I found myself smiling, and I was happy I’d come here just for the friendship boost I needed. “Well, then, we’re gonna all need to figure out who he is so we can decide if he’s worthy of you.”
She blushed but nodded, and I pulled her into a one-armed hug. Walking toward the front, I watched as she plucked up a pair of shoes and necklace on the way to the register. She started to bag it, handing it to me without ringing it up.
“Aren’t you going to charge me? I know you get a discount, but I doubt your boss lets you have things for free.” I lifted my eye, knowing something was going on.
“Atticus told me to put anything you, Loren, Imogen, or Cami ever want on his account. He started a store account here after the first time, when Loren bought that red dress.” My mouth fell open, surprised by this.
“Does Loren know?”
“I don’t think so. She hasn’t been in here in a while, and the last time we went to that exclusive dress shop.”
“Right.” I nodded, remembering everything that had happened since then.
Cami being taken, the fight, the benefit, and moving into the safe house somewhere in between all of that. It had been a busy few weeks.
“Well, thank you again, Stacy. You’re truly a godsend. I would’ve been lost without you. Text the group chat, and let’s get together soon. I know there are some things I have to do this weekend, but maybe in a few weeks, we can all go to Climax again?”
“Yes! Sign me up. That was a fun night.” She fanned herself, laughing.
Grabbing the bags, I waved as I headed out of the store, a skip in my step as I did.
