Page 28 of Endo
“There she is,” Cece says as I drop into the chair beside her.
Bexley looks up from her phone and grins. “You’re late, but we forgive you. Coffee’s already here.”
On the table in front of me sits my drink—a tall iced coffee, practically glowing with extra caramel drizzle. Exactly how I like it.
“You guys are lifesavers,” I say, taking a long sip and letting the sweet, cold brew jolt my system awake.
“Yeah, yeah, we know,” Bexley says with a wink, putting her phone down. “But let’s talk about the real news—me.”
I roll my eyes playfully. “Shocking.”
She sits up straighter, her grin widening. “You’re looking at the newest designer officially featured in a downtown fashion show.”
“That’s amazing, Bex!” I say, genuinely thrilled for her. “Your swim line’s killing it!”
Cece raises her glass in a mock toast. “Here’s to Bexley Larson, future queen of the runway.”
Bexley waves her hand like she’s swatting away a compliment but looks pleased. “It’s just one show, but thanks, babes. And just so you know, you’re both coming with me.”
“Oh, you’d love that, wouldn’t you?” I tease. “Having us there to ooh and ahh over you while you strut around in your bikini empire.”
“You meanourbikini empire,” Bexley corrects with a smirk. “I’m gonna need models for this event. And don’t even try to say no, Lena. You’ve got the whole surfer-girl vibe down.”
“Hard pass,” I say, laughing. “But Cece might be game. She’s practically a runway model already.”
Cece snorts. “Yeah, because everyone wants to see lavender-haired weirdos on the cover of Vogue.”
“Vogue is too mainstream for you,” Bexley shoots back. “You’d be on the cover of some edgy underground mag, looking hot and mysterious.”
I shake my head, smiling as I sip my coffee. This banter feels like a balm to my soul, a reminder of what it’s like to just be Lena, surrounded by people who know me. People who love me despite everything.
“So, Lena,” Cece says, her tone casual as she swirls her straw in her iced tea. “How’s work? Or, you know, that thing you’re doing with... What’s his name again?”
I stiffen slightly, catching the teasing edge in her voice. “Reign. And it’s not athing.He’s just helping me out.”
Bexley glances up, her expression thoughtful rather than playful. “It just seems... I don’t know. Intense, maybe? Sayshen said Reign’s been really dedicated to training you.”
“Yeah, he has been,” I insist, shaking my head. “He’s just...” I search for the right words, coming up short. “It’s complicated.”
Cece raises an eyebrow, but there’s no smirk this time, just curiosity. “Complicated how?”
I shrug, taking a long sip of my coffee to stall. “He’s just not the Reign he was before—well, you know. He’s been through a lot, and he’s... a little rough around the edges. I guess I kind of get that. But that’s all it is. Just two people trying to deal with their own messes while helping each other out.”
Bexley leans back in her chair, giving me a small, understanding nod. “Fair enough. Just don’t let him pull you into his storm, okay? From what I’ve heard he’s been in a dark place for months. And while we all want to help him, sometimes you just have to take a step back. You’ve got enough on your plate without addinghisdrama to it.”
“Trust me, I know,” I say, managing a half-smile.
“Yeah, well, Revel isn’t a fan,” Cece says, stirring her iced tea casually.
I groan. “What’s Revel’s problem now?”
“He thinks Reign’s bad news.” Cece shrugs, her tone dismissive. “But then again, Revel thinkseveryone’sbad news. He’s such a grumpy troll,” she adds, shaking her head.
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” I warn with a grin.
Cece rolls her eyes, but there’s something different in the way she does it this time—less exasperation and more... something else.
“Troll or not, he’s got it bad for you,” Bexley says, her grin wicked as she leans forward and waggles her eyebrows at Cece.
