Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

“Yeah, he does.”

Chapter 26

Leighton

There’s a limo idling in the street.

An actual stretch limo.

I suppose there’s nothing strange about a limo on a Beverly Hills street, but this…

Dean is insane.

He smiles wide as he slides his arm around Kristen. His eyes catch mine. He nods to her like he’s showing off his conquest.

I stick my tongue out in a show of disgust. I don’t object to Dean’s manwhoring ways. But bragging about a conquest? Gross.

A chauffeur steps out of the driver’s seat and pulls the door open for us. He motions after you and extends his hand. “May I help you, madam?”

I let him whisk me inside. Purple lighting casts the maroon velvet seats in an eggplant glow. But that hardly matters when Iris and Walker are sitting on the bench in the back.

My shoulders relax.

I’ve been swallowing this for a week. I can’t take it anymore. I need to talk to her. To explain everything. Even if it comes with a just tell him the truth.

I plop on the bench next to her and throw my arms around her.

&n

bsp; She squeezes tight.

“This something I’m gonna want to watch?” Walker chuckles.

“You’re not invited.” I release her and settle onto the bench. Turn to the door to watch Kristen, then Dean, enter. “Aren’t we going to a bar?”

Dean takes a seat on the bench on the right. Pulls Kristen onto his lap. “Sorry, but this is the end of your vodka train. California law. Booze or full nudity.”

“Good. I won’t have to cart your plastered ass home.” Ryan steps into the limo and takes a seat on the bench to the left. His eyes meet mine. They ask for something, but I’m not sure what it is.

Iris leans in to whisper. “What the hell did you do?”

I break eye contact with Ryan to whisper back. “I kissed him.”

She mouths fuck.

I nod. Fuck is right.

“Guessing it didn’t go well,” she says.

“Not really,” I whisper.

“You could have called.”

“I know. I…”

“Wasn’t ready to talk about it?”

“How do you know me so well?”