Eden

Unfortunately, she’s an astute, caring friend and can see through my bullshit with ease.

“Mal, are you really okay?” she asks as I help her with her hair. She’s sitting in front of me with a mirror before her and meets my reflection’s gaze.

I blink as my brain scrambles to answer her, so she continues, “You still seem really out of it. I can’t help but worry—”

“Loni, I swear I’m fine.” I shake my head. “You don’t have to worry, really.”

“Mallory…”

The way she’s gazing at me makes me want to confide in her. The urge is almost overwhelming. I want to tell her so badly. I could really use a friend’s support, especially since I found out where what could be salvaged of Nora and Je

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her, but I sink my teeth into my bottom lip to keep it from slipping out.

Putting my hands on her shoulders, I give her a reassuring squeeze and smile.

“Stop focusing on me,” I insist in a teasing tone. “We’ve got to get you gorgeous so Brandon realizes fully how much of a douche he was last year.”

She looks like she wants to press the issue, but after a moment, she gives me a hesitant grin. “All right. If you’re sure?”

I drop a kiss at the top of her head.

“Absolutely. So, what’re you wearing?”

Her grin widens and she pushes to her feet. I move and plop down on her bed to wait for her as she disappears into her closet. Guilt tugs at my gut, and the temptation to tell her everything is still there, but I fight it. I shove it down deep and hold it in as she emerges in a gorgeous orange dress that looks amazing with her skin tone.

I force a smile and keep my secrets bottled up, right where they belong, as we finish her makeup, and then I wish her luck and say goodbye before Brandon shows up.

Wandering down the hall to my room, I wonder for probably the millionth time if leaving Loni in the dark is really the right thing to do. My head and heart at war, I take a deep breath and grab my door’s handle.

To my surprise, I find it’s unlocked.

“Ghost,” I rasp.

Gritting my teeth, I shove the door open, ready to face whatever bullshit Nora has in store for me now.

But when I step into the room, I let out a little cry of relief.

It’s not Ghost.

It’s Saint.

His eyebrows arch in surprise.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting that reaction,” he says with a wicked grin. “Missed me, baby?”