Chapter 21
LILA
I slide into the corner booth at Café Lullaby, our regular spot with the faded blue cushions and just enough ambient noise to keep conversations private. Tessa sits across from me, her perfectly manicured fingers wrapped around a lavender latte.
"So," she says, leaning forward with gleaming eyes. "Details. Now."
I feel my cheeks flush despite myself. "God, where do I even start?"
"At the beginning. Or maybe the middle. Actually—" Tessa grins. "Skip to the good parts."
"Mmm, it turns out I didn't need to afraid of getting a little rough." I take a deep breath. "It was... intense. Like, mind-blowing intense."
"Told you! Dane strikes me like the kind of guy who knows what he's doing." Tessa looks way too pleased with herself. "So what was different?"
I stare into my coffee, stirring it unnecessarily. "At first, he was gentle, and I could tell he was holding back. Then I told him we could try. He was rough. Not in a scary way, but... controlling? And I thought that would freak me out, but it actually felt amazing."
"And his equipment?" Tessa raises an eyebrow. "You mentioned something about that when you texted."
"Jesus, Tess." I lower my voice to a whisper. "The man is... proportional. Like, 'take-your-time-and-use-lots-of-lube' proportional. I'm still feeling it today."
Tessa bursts out laughing, causing a nearby student to glance over. "Girl, those are the best kind. Worth the effort."
"Have you... I mean, have you done that before? The rough stuff?" I ask.
Tessa's smile turns knowing. "Remember Bradley from last summer? Finance guy with the boat? He was into that whole dominant thing—ropes, commands, the works." She shrugs. "It was fun while it lasted."
"And you liked it?" I lean closer.
"Parts of it. The intensity is addictive."
I wrap my hands around my mug. "After Mr. Colton, I've been so careful about... power dynamics. I never thought I'd want someone to take control like that."
"There's a difference," Tessa says, suddenly serious. "Abusing the power over someone as opposed to taking control because the other person allows it. What you're describing with Dane sounds like mutual trust."
I nod slowly, processing. "That's exactly it. I felt... safe, even when he was being rough. Like I could stop everything with a word."
"That's how it's supposed to be." Tessa reaches across to squeeze my hand. "So... are you seeing him again?"
"Tonight. After my shift. He said he'll pick me up. Like he can't wait to see me."
"Damn! Hot, hung, AND he cooks? Keep this one." Tessa laughs, then lowers her voice. "Just be careful, okay? Not about the sex—that sounds fantastic—but with your heart. You've got that look."
"What look?" I protest.
"The one that says you're already halfway to falling for this guy. It's too soon, babe."
I open my mouth to argue, then close it again. Because honestly? She's right.
I hesitate, my coffee halfway to my lips, as I remember Dane's casual offer to "educate" Mr. Colton. The way he'd said it, so matter-of-fact.
"What?" Tessa asks, catching my expression. "There's something else, isn't there?"
"No, just..." I set my cup down. "Just processing everything."
I almost tell her. The words hover at the tip of my tongue: 'He offered to hurt Mr. Colton for me. Like, seriously hurt him. And for a split second, I wanted him to.' But I swallow them back.
Tessa already thinks Dane is "dangerous" in the sexy way.
If she knew he'd casually offered to cross state lines to rough up Marcus Colton.
.. Jesus. She'd either be completely freaked out or think it's a joke and start rolling with it.
Neither reaction would help me figure out what to make of it myself.
"Earth to Lila?" She waves her hand in front of my face.
"Sorry. Just thinking about my Veritas interview. I still haven't heard back." The half lie slips out smoothly.
"Focus, woman. We're discussing your hot sex life, not work." She drains her latte. "So, what's the plan? Just casual fun, or...?"
I fiddle with my ear cuff. "I don't know. It feels different with him."
"Different how?"
"Like..." I search for words that won't sound completely pathetic. "Like he sees parts of me I usually keep hidden. The messy, angry parts."
Tessa's eyebrows shoot up. "You have angry parts?"
"Shut up." I kick her under the table. "You know what I mean."
"I do." She turns serious. "Like I said be careful. Mixing trauma and romance… that shit gets complicated fast."
I nod, grateful she's dropped the subject without pressing further.
If she knew about Dane's offer and how deeply it resonated with me—how for one dark moment, I'd imagined him confronting Mr. Colton, making him feel the fear I'd felt—she might think badly of me.
Some things are better kept to myself. Even from my best friend.
My phone buzzes on the table, startling me out of my thoughts. Unknown number.
"You should get that," Tessa says, gesturing with her chin. "Could be Dane with phone sex."
I roll my eyes but grab the phone. "Hello?"
"Is this Lila Marks?" A crisp, professional female voice I don't recognize says. Definitely not Dane.
"Yes, speaking." I straighten up instinctively, like the woman can see me through the phone.
"This is Vanessa Holt from Veritas News. I'm calling to inform you that your application has advanced to the next round of our selection process."
My heart stops, then hammers double-time. Vanessa Holt. Holy shit. I should have recognized her voice, but I guess I only spoke to her once.
"That's—thank you," I manage, while frantically waving at Tessa, who's looking at me with raised eyebrows. "I'm definitely interested in continuing."
"Excellent. We'd like you to come in Friday at 10:30 AM to meet with our senior editorial team. You'll be asked to pitch story ideas and discuss your investigative approach."
I grab a napkin and frantically mime for a pen. Tessa slides hers across the table.
"Wednesday at 4, got it." I scribble the details. "Is there anything specific I should prepare?"
"Three potential investigative pieces—local focus preferred. And Ms. Marks?"
"Yes?"
"Mr. Langford was particularly impressed with your interview." Something in her tone makes my skin prickle. "He'll be joining us for the next round."
Great. Mr. Creepy Eyes himself.
"Looking forward to it," I lie smoothly.
"We'll email confirmation details shortly. Have a good day."
The call ends and I stare at Tessa, momentarily speechless.
"Well?" she demands. "Was that?—"
"Veritas." My voice comes out as a squeak. "I made it to round two!"
"Holy shit!" Tessa shrieks.
We both jump to our feet, grabbing each other's hands and bouncing like we're at a middle school slumber party. I'm making embarrassing little squealing noises I didn't know I could produce.
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god," I chant, not caring about the startled glances from nearby tables.
"I knew it!" Tessa yells, still bouncing. "What did I tell you? What did I fucking tell you?"
"Wednesday at four," I gasp. "I have to prepare three story pitches!"
"We'll workshop them together." Tessa pulls me into a crushing hug. "I'm so proud of you!"
I collapse back into my seat, light-headed with excitement. "This is really happening."
"Damn right it is." Tessa drops back down, her perfect hair somehow still in place despite our jumping session. "First hot detective sex, now Veritas? The universe is finally paying you back, girl."
I laugh, feeling something unfamiliar bloom in my chest. Hope, maybe? After years of looking over my shoulder, of building walls and keeping my head down, everything's suddenly falling into place. The internship I desperately want. A man who makes me feel both safe and excited.
For once, I'm not waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"You know what?" I say, raising my coffee mug. "To good things finally happening."
Tessa clinks her empty cup against mine. "About fucking time."
For the first time in forever, I feel like maybe—just maybe—my life is heading somewhere good. Somewhere I actually want to be.