Love or Lust (LOL): Part 3

She’s looking at me expectantly now, one hand holding the heel of my right foot, the other with the pumice stone poised to scrape the crap out of said heel.

“Oh, I don’t know. Both Milo and Lennon are very nice.”

“You have to choose, right?” she asks enthusiastically, her voice rising an octave.

“I do,” I state very matter-of-factly before closing my eyes and leaning my head back against the seat.

Thankfully, she takes the hint and goes back to work on my feet. I’m not giving the cameras anything worth airing. I’m done playing this game. It ended the minute I found out Jace was gone. I’m no longer fighting for anything. I have no reason for being here. I’m ready for it to be over.

After my feet and hands have been successfully returned to a state I’m no longer ashamed of, I take the seat next to Bella and explain to the stylist what I’d like to have done with my hair.

“I wish I were that adventurous,” Bella notes as our chairs are turned to face one another.

“Take the leap. Go crazy. You can always change it later if you don’t like it.”

Bella seems to contemplate the thought for a few long minutes before finally asking her stylist for something different. Ninety minutes later and we’re both extremely happy and on our way back to the ranch.

Oh, goodie.

Just where I want to be.

“Lennon and Milo are at the pool and asked if we wanted to join them for a drink,” Bella says, never taking her eyes off her phone as the car pulls up in front of the house.

“Maybe,” I lie. I have no intention of going to the pool or hanging out with anyone tonight. “I want to pack a few things and clean up.”

“You have all week for that. Plus, we only have a few nights left together.” Bella pouts, shoving her bottom lip out.

“Okay. Just let me get changed and then I’ll meet you there,” I say after a long pause.

Another lie.

If she begs, I might actually cave, so I tell her what she wants to hear to keep her from going down that road.

Thankfully, my phone starts ringing, effectively ending our conversation as we part ways.

“You couldn’t have called at a better time,” I say in lieu of a greeting.

“I knew you needed me,” Naomi says cheerfully. “So how are you really?”

“Shitty,” I answer honestly. It’s not worth it to lie to her. I’m sure she saw the show. She knows Jace is gone.

“The good news is it’s almost over.”

“Then what?” I push open the door to my villa, and the scent of fresh-cut roses suddenly assaults my senses. “Holy shit!”

“What? Are you okay?” Naomi’s voice is frantic and filled with concern.

There are five large bouquets of roses perfectly placed around the room. Ignoring Naomi’s questions, I walk over to the nearest vase. Blue roses. A dozen of them.

“Presley!” Naomi screams.

“Sorry. There are flowers.” It’s the only thing I can think of to say.

“Flowers? What kind of flowers?”

“Lots of them. All roses. All different colors.”

“Is there a note?” she asks.