Page 43 of Sweet Temptation

---

Lucky

Thanks, Lex. Don’t wait up. We won’t be home till late.

Linc hearts my text but doesn’t respond, and I run my thumb over Lucky’s name before I drop my phone down on the counter, tired but inexplicably wired. Replaying Dillan’s words from earlier but not sure what to do with them. So I do what I always do when I know I can’t sleep.

I cook.

I make the prettiest plate and snap a picture to upload to my Instagram but decide at the last minute to send it somewhere else instead.

Lexie

There’s a plate in the fridge for you.

I attach the pic of the omelet covered in cheese and shut off my phone.

Maybe tonight will be the night I get some sleep.

Lucky

Iopen my phone when the plane touches down on the private airstrip just outside Kroydon Hills and see a handful of missed texts.

Rome

Hey I ran into Sara and Kara at West End tonight. They want to know when we’re all going out again. You up for some fun? I could keep them both at the bar, and you could meet us here when you land.

I ignore my brother and skip through a few congrats on the win from some people who only text when it’s about football. Then I see the one from Lexie, and my fucking heart grows like the damn Grinch. It’s a picture of an omelet covered in cheese.

This girl doesn’t eat cheese. She doesn’t touch dairy. She made this for me.

I flip back to Rome’s text and smile as I respond.

Lucky

I’m good, man. Have fun.

Rome

This weekend?

Lucky

Nah. They’re all yours.

Rome

You sure? Sara said she misses you.

I don’t even have to think about it.

Lucky

Yeah, man. That’s all you.

I’ve got other plans.

“Hey, man.” Linc finds me in the parking lot as we all rush to our cars, trying to get out of the rain, a goofy-ass grin on his face as he holds his duffle over his head. “I’m not coming home tonight.”

I don’t ask where he’s sleeping, and he doesn’t offer.

---