Page 89 of Ruined Vows
So you’re bringing that green Ravella dress, right?
Funny, she says that because I’m staring at it. It’s silk, backless, and barely decent.
Obviously.
Joanne sends a string of skull emojis followed by a GIF of a girl sprinting into battle in heels and four suitcases.
I roll my eyes, but my fingers are already moving—greensilk, black lace, matching lingerie I’m pretending is forme, nothim.
Fine. I’m overpacking.
I knew it. You like him. Is this… defeat?
I’m not surrendering. It’s strategy.
I toss in three pairs of stilettos, a knife hidden in a travel case, and a sleep set I will absolutely not wear unless seduction becomes the only way out of this alive.
Then, my phone buzzes again.
You got this. Just remember—if he ruins your life, make sure you’re wearing designer.
I laugh, but it doesn’t touch my lips. Because there’s a strange flutter in my stomach, I don’t want to name it.
I zip the case.
This isn’t a date. It’s an ambush.
And if he thinks he’s going to strip me bare with soft touches and hard truths…he’d better be ready to be disappointed.
I quickly change and head to the door. When I arrived at our sushi place, Joanne was already in the booth, sunglasses on, sipping sake like holy water.
I drop into the seat across from her with a dramatic sigh.
“You ordered without me?”
She shrugs, unbothered. “I figured you were either dead or busy packing lingerie, mace, knives, and mascara for the weekend.”
I blink. “Can we not yell that across the restaurant?”
She grins. “Um—that wasn’t a no.”
I sigh, peeling off my sunglasses like they’ve held back my panic.
“What am I to do? He texted. Told me to pack for threedays. Something about a view and a bed he’d like to ruin me in.”
Joanne gives me a side-eye. “Romantic, isn’t he? That he talks to you like that?” She giggles. “I have to say, he’s confident, and that’s actually very hot and intriguing, y’know? It’s right up your alley. I mean, what’s one more dangerous adventure?”
She shrugs like I’m a legendary hit woman or something.
“More like foreboding. And who knows if I’ll return from this adventure? They all come with a risk.”
She moves her fingers through her hair before flipping it over her shoulder and says, “Let’s hear it.” She pours me a shot of sake.
I take a sip, letting the warmth of the fermented rice drink coat my throat before I set the glass down. “He won’t tell me where we’re going. Just said it’s private, I’ll want to wear green, and I won’t want to miss it.”
Joanne stares. “Okay, that’s not ominous at all. You sure he’s not flying you out to some underground fight club or a vineyard where people vanish?” She chuckles, and I have to admit she’s amusing. God knows I love her.
“I wouldn’t put it past him. But he doesn’t need a vineyard to make people vanish.”
