Page 108 of Secret Seduction

“I’m at my apartment …”

“Vanessa, what’s going on?”

“I need to go home,” I repeat, “to Lorenzo and Leo.”

Nicole gasps. “But what about school?”

“I can figure it out.” I rush to my room to start packing a bag. “But this isn’t my home anymore.”

There’s a knock on my door.

“I’ll call you right back.” I hang up and rush to open the door—assuming it’s Destiny since she’s always forgetting her keys—so I can get back to packing and book a flight to Harbor Point.

Only, when I swing open the door, it’s not Destiny. Standing in the doorway is none other than …

“Mama!” Leo squeals, lifting his arms and diving into mine.

My eyes fill with tears as I catch Leo and pull him into my arms.

“Lorenzo,” I breathe out, “what are you doing here?”

“I hadn’t heard from you in a few days, so I figured I’d come check on you,” he says.

“What?” I shriek, feeling like shit for avoiding him. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been struggling and⁠—”

My words are cut off by the feeling of his mouth pressing against mine. Instantly, my entire body relaxes as I sigh into the kiss. I knew I was missing him, but I didn’t fully grasp how badly until this moment. Because Lorenzo and Leo aren’t just people I love. They’ve become a part of me.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” I step into the apartment and immediately wish I had picked up. Since it’s a dorm through the school, it comes fully furnished, so there’s nothing I can do about that, but when I look around, seeing clothes and food littering the surfaces, I internally groan.

“Show me around,” Lorenzo says, taking in the small space.

“There isn’t really much to see,” I mutter. “This is the living room and kitchen. Destiny’s room is to the left.” I point to her closed door. “And this is my room.”

I step into the small space and cringe, our age difference glaringly obvious right now. While Lorenzo lives in a multimillion-dollar condo in the building he owns, I live in a college dorm.

“Going somewhere?” he asks.

“Huh?” My eyes follow his line of vision to my carry-on luggage. “Actually, I was going to see you.”

Lorenzo’s brows kiss his forehead. “In Harbor Point?”

“Unless you’ve moved somewhere else.” I laugh.

“Actually, we have,” he says, hooking his arm around my waist. “Leo and I have decided to move to Seattle.”

“What?” I gasp. “Why?”

He snorts out a laugh. “Because I love the rain,” he deadpans. “Because you’re here, Wild Card.” He leans in and gives me a chaste kiss. “Because, as my sister said, life is too short to be anything but happy. And I’m the happiest when I’m with you.”

Be still, my heart.

“You’re moving here?” I choke out, trying to wrap my head around the turn of events. “I was moving home to be with you.”

He glances at my luggage and then back at me. “What about school?” he asks, disappointment laced in his tone.

I shrug sheepishly.

“Vanessa, you can’t be serious. You have one semester left.”