Sienna

I hadn't gotten ready like he'd ordered me to over the phone-and why would I? I wasn't about to let that asshole win, no matter what had happened between us.

So here I was, trying to bury myself in a book. Mom always used books to distract herself, so I figured I could too. Except it wasn't working for me the way it did for her. My eyes glazed over the words, but my brain refused to quiet.

By the time I was halfway down the fifth page, Mom's voice echoed from downstairs.

"Evelyn, come here!"

"Why?" I shouted back.

"Just come here. You'll see."

With a sigh, I dropped the book and dragged myself down the stairs-only to freeze at the bottom.

Alex stood at the doorway. Roses in his hand. A smile on his face. Not his usual cocky smirk, but a real, genuine smile.

"Ma'am, you're even prettier than Jacob described," he said warmly, handing her the bouquet. "Pretty flowers for a pretty lady."

Mom laughed, actually laughed, before ruffling his hair like he was some kind of adorable boy. "What a charmer!" She pinched his cheek, giggling. "Come inside."

I wanted to roll my eyes into another dimension.

He stepped in like he owned the place, and Mom beamed as if she'd just adopted him. "So, you're Alex, huh? My husband talks about you all the time. I can't believe I'm finally meeting you."

"The pleasure's mine, Evelyn," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with sincerity. "Jacob's told me so much about you."

"And you wouldn't believe how much I've heard about you," Mom chuckled. "Now let me call your friend. She's probably upstairs, tossing and turning on the bed for no reason. Her favorite pastime."

Her eyes shot wide as she turned and spotted me.

"Tossing and turning on the bed?" I arched a brow. "Seriously, Mom?"

She bit her tongue, grinning. "Just a slip of the tongue. Didn't mean to

"Mom!" I gasped, mortified.

was the look. So much trouble waiting for me. "Why aren't you ready yet? Weren't

my fists at my

going anywhere near him-because that would only raise suspicion. And given the timing-my

I said, forcing my voice

all the way here to pick you up. How could you say

"But Mom-"

Evelyn," Alex said smoothly, stepping in like the gentleman he wasn't. "If she doesn't want to, it's fine. I'll take

was

decisive. "She needs fresh air anyway. Sienna,

Alex is fine with it, why are you

your mother. And I

flicked back to Alex—and of course, he was smirking. Not smug, not cocky, just amused.

hissed, spinning on my heel. I stomped back upstairs, slamming the door shut

have to get ready

it her personal mission to

***

snapped as I reluctantly slid into his car. "How could you just fucking show up at my

that was the only way to drag you out of your room," he replied

creepy as

know, I've noticed something you only call me Grayson when you're trying to sound

your fucking dreams." I scoffed,

in, he reached across the console. His cologne hit me first-clean, sharp intoxicating. My breath stuttered as his arm

seatbelt, Flower," he murmured, tugging the strap across my chest and clicking it into

Way

my lips, his breathing roughening yet instead of giving in, he pulled back slowly,

get going,"

out a laugh. "The sooner

go home."

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