WebNovels

Chapter 22 - Vanilla Lies

Sky's POV

I fix my lip gloss. Blot the pink off. Apply again. Breathe.

He left me panting against the sink like a goddamn scene in a banned movie, and I still have to walk back like I didn't just let my worst decision kiss me breathless in a public restroom.

My heels click back toward the table.

One foot in front of the other. Deep breaths. Soft smile.

He's not even seated yet—still leaning against a pillar with that smug I-fucked-you-up look on his face.

I glance once. Just once.

His fingers twitch against his side like he's dying to grab me again.

Down, demon.

I give him nothing. Not a glance. Not a blink.

"Everything alright, pumpkin?" my dad asks, folding his napkin.

"Perfect," I chirp, sliding back into my seat with a smile sweet enough to rot teeth. "Just a little headache. Must be the sun."

I sip my vanilla oat latte—my fake coffee, dessert in disguise. It suddenly tastes like guilt.

Dad watches me, suspicious. "You're flushed."

I shrug. "Heat, probably. Or the espresso shot."

His eyes narrow, but he lets it go.

Across the patio, Ray finally strolls back to his table, but not before shooting me a slow smirk and dragging his tongue along his bottom lip—just to be a menace.

My thighs clench under the table. My spoon scrapes the crème brûlée too hard.

Fuck you.

I text him under the table anyway.

> "You're dead. Actually. I'm gonna kill you."

His response comes immediately.

> "You already did, sweetheart. When you said 'harder' and grabbed my hair."

My hand flies to my neck. I pray to every god that my concealer's still holding.

Dad's talking stocks now, completely unaware that his perfect daughter is currently trying not to picture last night's bruises in a public restaurant.

I smile, nod, pretend to listen.

I'm Sky Valen. I wear white. I sip lattes. I lie like it's a sport.

But under the table, my phone buzzes again.

> "I want round two. Tonight."

I don't answer.

But I don't say no either.

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