Page 81 of Bound By Crimson

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That morning, at the boutique, everything blurred by in a rush of fittings and fabric.

More customers. More fittings. More chaos.

Lyric barely had time to breathe.

By noon, Callie had shoved a protein bar into her hand and ordered her to eat it between clients.

“You’re running on adrenaline,” Callie warned, pushing a bottle of water toward her. “You need real food. Real sleep.”

Lyric nodded but barely heard her.

Every sale felt like another firework. Another piece of proof that she was doing it. She was real.

And yet… beneath the buzz, a quiet hum of exhaustion vibrated through her bones.

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Later That Afternoon

Her phone buzzed mid-appointment.

It was Kai.

Don’t forget about me today.

She smiled, her stomach tightening in that way it always did when he surprised her with something thoughtful—and possessive.

She texted back quickly:

Never! Love you.

Another buzz.

I hate how much I miss you. Are you ready to quit yet?

Lyric laughed softly.

But her chest tightened, too.

Was he serious?

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Lyric let herself into the penthouse around 8 p.m., her feet sore, her hands aching from lifting fabrics and displays all day.

But she was buzzing.

And for once—the penthouse wasn’t dark.

Kai was home. He used to work late, but something had shifted.

He was sitting on the couch, jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled up, laptop abandoned on the coffee table.

He stood when he saw her, crossing the room in a few strides.

“Hey, superstar,” he murmured, pulling her into his arms.

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