Chapter Twenty-One
MILA
The restaurant buzzed with weekend noise—ice rattling in plastic cups, bursts of laughter, music pouring from the speakers like static. This was the place to be seen. And I hated that I agreed to come.
Avery waved me over from the corner booth, already halfway through her milkshake.
Jasmine leaned back in the vinyl seat, her phone glowing.
Margie walked over to the booth with a cheeseburger and fries in a red basket lined with checkered paper.
She slid in, and they resumed their conversation. They looked relaxed. Normal.
I slid in beside them, faking the ease I didn’t feel.
The booth smelled like salt and grease, ketchup packets sticking to the Formica. Their chatter blurred into the background noise. My eyes snagged on the paper placemat beneath my drink. A doodle had already bled across the corner—some other restless hand leaving swirls and lines.
My fingers itched to steal the pen from Jasmine’s purse.
To sketch the way the light caught Avery’s laugh or the sharp cut of Margie’s hands when she talked.
Instead, I curled my hands in my lap. If I started, I might not stop.
And Avery’s friends weren’t ready to see the real me—the one who saw the world in lines and shadows instead of labels and brands.
Margie was mid-rant, manicured nails dancing in the air. “So I found these jeans—limited drop, ultra high-rise, stupid expensive, obviously. I bought two sizes just in case. The smaller one’s my motivation, don’t judge.”
Avery laughed. “Only you would spend that much on denim you can’t even breathe in yet.”
“I’ll breathe after I look amazing,” Margie shot back, sipping her lemonade with a wink.
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “She’s dragging us to the boutique on Cypress tomorrow. Claims they just restocked.”
“Post-brunch beach trip tomorrow too,” Margie added, flashing her phone screen. “This bikini needs sunlight and sin. Preferably both.”
I smiled, pretending I belonged.
We’d lived in nice places. Stayed in fancy homes when Mom’s boyfriends had money. But they weren’t legacy. Not this level. Not deep pockets with deeper secrets.
Fifteen minutes later, I excused myself, needing a break. Too much pretending.
The bathroom was down a narrow hallway, tucked past the arcade claw machines and a side exit. I took my time washing my hands, letting the water scald and numb in equal measure.
As I pushed the bathroom door open, voices leaked down the hallway—hushed and familiar. Elise’s. I froze, catching her mid-sentence.
“…doesn’t matter how broke they look—Mila’s mom always finds a way to cash out.”
It crashed through me like a gut punch. Not because she was wrong. But because it was too close to the truth.
She was talking about me. It couldn’t be more obvious.
I stepped out fully then, slow and on purpose, making sure she saw me.
Her gaze flicked up, mouth curling as if she’d been waiting all along.
Nina loitered behind her, smug. Tori lingered near the hall entrance, half-turned like she wanted to bolt.
“You and I should talk,” Elise said, voice venom, saccharine and glass. “Girl to girl.”
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, casual mask in place, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.
She cocked her head, dark hair gleaming under the too-bright overhead light. “Heard you’ve been… busy.”
I raised a brow. “You stalking my schedule now?”
Nina smirked. Tori shifted her weight but said nothing.
Elise’s smile thinned. “I just think someone should remind you—your mom’s history has a way of catching up.”
My blood went cold. What exactly was she talking about? Why we left? Or something else?
She stepped closer, just enough to push into my space. “Men. Money. The way she leaves both behind a little lighter.” Her gaze dragged over me. “Ring a bell?”
That. I caught her drift, and it wasn’t surprising what she’d found out. Even so, I didn’t move. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.
“Let me guess,” she went on, voice hushed. “Luke’s next. Rising star. Heir apparent. Whole town already half-bowing to his last name. Bet she’s real proud.”
My jaw clenched. “You think I’m after Luke for his money?”
“I think you learned from the best.” She smiled, all teeth. “Like mother, like daughter.”
I was expecting something along those lines. “Really? Then why not go after his older brother? Isn’t he already working at the company? Seems like the smarter target, if I was into power plays.”
Elise’s eyes glittered. She didn’t answer right away, just tilted her head, lips curling into something secretive. “You would think. But some stars burn out before they even get the crown.”
I stilled. Not because I gave a damn about her digs, but because that line wasn’t random.
It sounded too specific. Too pointed. As if she knew something about Drew—something recent.
The way she said it, too smooth and smug…
it wasn’t just gossip. It was a warning shot.
Something was going down, and either she was behind it—or already watching it implode.
“You think you’ve got history with Luke? You’re nothing new, Mila. I had him before you—and after. You weren’t the first, and you sure as hell weren’t the last.”
Her words sliced through before I could brace, sharp enough to scrape bone.
A hundred images I didn’t want—Luke with her, Luke letting her close—flashed and burned before I shoved them down.
My jaw ached from holding still. My face gave her nothing, even while my stomach twisted. I wouldn’t give her the win.
Of course she would use him. Drag him between us like a bomb ready to explode. That was her game—make me bleed.
The silence stretched. Then she stepped back, tone sweet again. “Just thought you deserved a heads-up. Would hate to see history repeat itself.”
Nina followed her down the hall. Tori stayed back a second longer—eyes flickering to me, almost uncertain—before falling in line.
I waited until their heels faded down the corridor before I breathed again. Their steps faded. So did my pulse. Elise wanted me rattled, but all she managed was to confirm one thing—she was digging. Hard.
I pushed the door open and headed back to the booth on autopilot.
Avery looked up the second I slid into my seat. “You okay?”
I offered a tight smile. “Yeah. Bathroom line was just long.” The lie slid out easily, but the press of her lips said she didn’t buy it.
She didn’t press, but her gaze tracked me as the door chimed behind us. I didn’t have to look—again. I swear I had a sixth sense for certain people. Then I felt it—Luke stepping into the restaurant. Jax. Chase. Theo. All of them moving as if they owned the place.
Part of me wanted to lean in, let him know Elise was chasing a new thread. But the memory of his words at the bonfire stopped me cold. He didn’t get to say those things and expect me to fold. Screw that. Elise? I would handle her on my own.
Avery and Jasmine glanced toward the door, but Margie stayed glued to her phone. I didn’t bother checking to confirm I was right.
I just picked up my cup and took a slow sip. Because whatever campaign Elise had started—it wasn’t over. And if she thought she could intimidate me? She was out of her damn mind.