“It’s a yes.”
18
Laiken
“Was that—?”Serena started, her expression full of awe. “There’s no way.”
“There is definitely a way,” Addie said, a huge smile on her face. “The fancy movie star has a thing for Laiken.”
A hint of worry flashed across Gilly’s expression. “How long is he here for?”
My stomach twisted at the question. “I’m not sure.”
She toyed with a bead on her bracelet, forcing a smile. “He’s got all the handsome going for him.” Her eyes took on an authentic twinkle. “Think I could convince him to sit for me? Or maybe I could haveyouconvince him to sit for me.”
I snorted. “I feel like you’ve got the convincing down better than I do.”
Gilly ran a hand through her silvering hair in an exaggerated motion. “Careful, Laiken. I could give you some real competition where that man’s concerned.”
A grin stretched across my face. “There’s zero competition. You’d trounce me.”
She laughed as she wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Oh, Cherub, you’re good for my old soul.”
Serena stood, gaping at us. “Is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on?”
“Boden Cavanaugh is in town for a while doing some research for a film,” I explained. God, I hoped Serena wouldn’t blow this wide open. “He’s trying to keep a low profile, so please don’t share that.”
Her mouth pinched together. “If it’s so secret, then why was he in here flirting with you?”
Gilly’s grip on my shoulder tightened. “Serena.”
“What? Now I can’t ask a simple question?”
“We’re friends.” That seemed like so much less than we were, but it was all I could handle claiming right now. Friends was safe. Except an intimacy with Boden was far from that. He had a living, breathing flame inside him that was pulling me in.
Serena scoffed. “He’s probably just looking for a piece of ass while he’s on vacation.”
“Stop it.” Addie’s words whipped out, her tone harsher than I’d ever heard it.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Stop it. Your ugliness to Laiken needs to end. She’s been nothing but kind to you, and you’ve been a brat since your first shift here.”
Serena’s jaw fell open. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. What we’ve been through.”
Addie’s expression gentled a fraction, but there was still steel beneath it. “I know enough. I know you’re hurting. But you don’t take that out on her. It’s not fair, and it doesn’t help anything.”
“Life isn’t fair. It wasn’t fair when my brother was stolen from me, and my family imploded. It wasn’t fair when Laiken all but ditched me. When she turned from a friend to a constant lecturer. It wasn’t fair when I didn’t have anyone to lean on. That’s not fucking fair.” Tears gathered in Serena’s eyes, and she furiously wiped them away. She opened her mouth to say something more but then shook her head and moved for the door. She didn’t slam anything this time. There was only the bell and a soft snick in her wake. But it might as well have been a cannon.
Gilly started for the door. “I need to talk to her.”
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything—”
I waved Addie off. “No, I think that was good. It’s the first time Serena has been honest about what she’s feeling. She’s so used to covering it with that bitchy air. That’s not who she is. Not deep down.” I stared at the window. “I had no idea she felt like I left her.”
Addie moved closer, taking my hand. “You were grieving, trying to recover from your injuries. I’m sure everyone did the best they could.”
“She was younger, though. Maybe too young to fully grasp that. I’m sure we all hurt her. It’s no wonder she doesn’t like coming home.”