Page 46 of Crimson Love

Devon – I’ll hit you up when I find something. Don’t wait up. I’ve

used and abused my contacts in the last few months. I’ll do

some digging on my own first.

Me – I’ll take it.

Devon – If Lennon quits on me and runs away, I’ll hold you

responsible.

I’ll hardly be responsible, but I don’t tell him that.

Me – Fair enough. Tell my little sister hi.

And that’s it. No bubbles and no answer. But I know Devon well enough to know he’ll come through for me.

And depending on what Lennon tells me tonight, we’ll see if she’s telling the truth.

I turn when I hear the bathroom door open.

Lennon stands there in a pair of ratty sweats that swallow her whole. Her hair is piled high on her head. This time, she really is makeup free.

She’s so fucking beautiful and tortured, I can’t take it.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

I lift my chin. “Fuck calories and cholesterol tonight. I’ve got a lot of food coming. Hope you’re ready to talk.”

She bites her lip.

Shit.

This isn’t going to be easy.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ESCAPE

Jett

I ’d feel like I’m in the middle of some met-on-vacation-rom-com if it weren’t for the topic at hand. We’re sitting across from each other forking food off whatever plate interests us. I may have said fuck it to heathy eating for one night, but I’m not drinking. Lennon, on the other hand, is two glasses into a bottle of red. She licked her lips when she saw it and said it was needed after her day.

“So wait.” I toss my napkin to the tray that sits between us. “You’re telling me you’ve been on Andrei’s boat since you were nineteen?”

She takes another sip of wine. “Yes.”

“And you’re twenty-five.”

She nods and forks another ravioli drenched in vodka sauce. “Yes.”

“Are you going to make me guess your past and answer yes and no all night?”

She stops mid-chew and answers with her mouth full. “Maybe.”

I refill my water from the carafe. “This could be much easier if you’d participate in the conversation.”

She drops her fork. “I’ve been back on land on my own for a few months. I’m not used to talking about it. In fact, no one knows about it until now.”