Page 90 of Love Me Not

How cute.

“You’re notmakingme do anything,” I said.“It’s best this way.She should hear it from you.I don’t want to pressure her into accepting it just because she doesn’t want to hurt my feelings.Plus… this is a bonding moment for the two of you.”

She took a deep breath and nodded.

“You have my card.Use it.Do whatever you want.Maybe even get your hair and nails done.Pamper yourself.”

My smile widened.

“I have my own money to spend, Lux.You pay me, remember?I really don't think this is a proper use of a black card.”

She gave me a look.“Do I really have to remind you?”

I raised my brow at her, confusion washing over me.

“I told you you're worth every penny.I don't care whether it's five dollars or five million.You spend that money and treat yourself.And you bet your fine ass that if you don't spend enough, I'm going to come back here with you and show you how to really spend money.”

God.Why does she make butterflies go off in my stomach so easily?

Lux could just look in my direction and they’d be off.But there was something oddly comforting about someone wanting to spend money on me.No matter how random it was.

“Okay,” I replied and motioned for her to go back to Bella’s side.“We'll meet in two hours.Text me where you are.”

She nodded, quickly squeezing my hand before turning to take Bella farther into the mall, but not before the little girl turned back and waved at me.I waved back with a smile.

I waited a moment before moving away, making sure that they were fully out of sight.

To be honest, I hadn’t ever thought about pampering myself.It was a foreign concept.I never had the money for it.Pamperingfor me was a nice meal that I couldn't usually afford or an article of clothing that I had my eyes on for a while.

With the whole mall at my disposal, I had no idea where to start.

And honestly, after living with Lux and Bella, I didn't really need much anymore.My housing was taken care of, I ate delicious food every day, and I didn't really need any new clothes or shoes or anything like that.

I turned around, taking in the expansive mall around me.

I can always get some snacks or get my hair and nails done like she suggested.

But the more I sat with myself, the more I realized it had been a while since I'd been able to just be alone like this.Not just alone—alone without having anything to do.

I wasn’t worried about money or paying rent.I wasn’t wondering where my next meal would be coming from.I wasn’t so exhausted from work that I’d just crash on my bed as soon as I got there.

So I let myself sink into the feeling of not knowing what to do with myself.I let it sit heavy in my chest, allowing the anxiety to creep in.

Then I shut that shit down, puffed my chest out, and went for it.

I was going to do exactly what Lux recommended.Hair and nails.

Maybe I could dye my hair red.

I almost texted Lux to tease her about it but decided not to.And then I decided to get some nice lingerie she could peel off me later.Definitely something we’d both enjoy.

I stopped by a coffee kiosk and got a small iced tea before walking into the salon, which—thankfully—had spots open.

I zoned out more than once when the tech was working on my nails.I knew I was supposed to be enjoying it, but all I could think about was how Bella and Lux were doing.

Howthe talkwas going.

It hoped it wouldn’t be a shock to her for the one person in her life to come out of nowhere and tell her she and her nanny were together.

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