Page 52 of Ugly Beautiful Scars

Goddamnit!

Her face appears, then freezes. "Oh. My…" Her eyes slowly blow out wider before she finishes her thought. "...God."

Her pure and utter surprise must send out distress flares because suddenly, the billionaire appears behind her, leaning into frame. Both of them stare at me, speechless.

Of course they'd find me like this. Of course. The universe isn't subtle with its jokes.

I pull up the timer on my smart watch and meet their stunned expressions with dryness. "You have two minutes. Get it out of your system." I tap the start button. "Go."

Sienna bites her bottom lip, visibly fighting for control. "So it finally happened? BTS called? You must be so thrilled!"

Declan's smirk deepens. "Do you need help with your audition tape? Your dance moves must be rusty."

They dissolve into giggles that make them look like teenagers instead of a filthy rich man and his artist wife. I roll my eyes, which only seems to encourage them.

"Bold color choice for someone who owns seventeen variations of the same black t-shirt," Declan says, wiping an actual tear from his eye.

"Are you going by a single-letter name now? Just 'S'?" Sienna adds.

The barbs continue, overlapping as they feed off each other's energy. Despite myself, a laugh escapes when Sienna suggests I change my security title to 'Bodyguard of the Soul.'

The timer beeps, saving what remains of my dignity.

"Time's up," I announce. "Now you can never make any joke about me like that ever again. Especially the K-pop shit."

"Wait!" Sienna holds up a finger. "I have one more really good one!"

"Then tell it to your husband."

Their laughter finally settles. As our joy passes, Sienna's eyes take on that concerned look I've been avoiding for months.

"Seriously, how could you leave without telling us?"

The guilt resurfaces. Not as a gentle tide but as a full underwater surge, dragging me down with unexpected force. "It was a sudden job I had to take. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

Declan's eyebrows drift upward, a silent question mark. "You said you weren't taking more jobs. Otherwise, I'd have you come work for me again."

"You don't need me," I deflect, shifting my weight as passing pedestrians weave around me.

"Of course we do."

"Only for dinner dates where I'm the third wheel." My mouth immediately clamps shut as I regret those words. That particular minefield wasn't supposed to see daylight. It's this blue hair throwing me completely off my game.

Sienna's voice takes on the tone of a caring mom. "Come on. You're not a third wheel. We love having you—"

"I have to get back to work," I cut in, uncomfortable with where this is headed. "Sorry again I didn't tell you. I'll be here another month at least."

"Where is 'here' exactly?" Declan asks.

"Manhattan."

I can see the questions forming behind their eyes, along with the worry and curiosity. But thankfully, they don't push.

"Keep in touch," Sienna says. "Promise me."

"I promise."

Declan nods. "Let me know if you need anything." The same offer he always extends. I appreciate the gesture, but he knows I'm too stubborn to take him up on that. Only if it were life and death. Maybe.

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