Page 11 of Damaged Mogul
“How so?”
She leans into me. “She goes by Lily Schuyler. Not Lily Edgington.”
My eyes widen in surprise.
The plot thickens…
I’m about to respond, but words escape me when, from my peripheral vision, a spot of soft pink catches my attention. My gaze moves to the entrance, where a bombshell breezes into the bar.
Holy fuck.
“Speaking of the beautiful swan… she appears,” Michaela says.
For the first time since entering the bar, I take note of the music playing in the background—La Vie en Rose.
Chapter 4
Lily
Sharing details about the worst birthday ever submerged me in a wave of melancholy. Even though my mom has passed away, I can’t consider myself an orphan since one of my parents is still alive. My reality shatters that fact. Based on my nonexistent relationship with my half-brothers and my frosty relationship with my father—people I share DNA with—I am an orphan.
The selfless way Michaela––a stranger––welcomed me into her circle, left me unsettled for several long minutes after retreating to my hotel room.
It’s only when Mikki texted me to let me know she’d be at the bar with Gage, it hit me. We never exchanged photos.
This topsy-turvy day is preventing me from thinking straight.
When I enter the Baudelaire Bar, I suppress a laugh.
My Parisian-born best friend has so many issueswith La Vie en Rose—including the contemporary versions of Edith Piaf’s iconic song. I don’t have time to dwell on the song, because Mikki is wavingme over.
Her and her husband flank a man?—
Scratch that.
He’s a gorgeous demigod.
Sweet mercy.
My previous chaperones weren’t male models, but I didn’t expect them to be. Gage Hollingsworthismale model material.
That handsome face.
That sculpted jaw, dusted with a 5 o’clock shadow.
That Grecian nose.
That slick haircut that accentuates his chiseled cheekbones.
Those lips…
I was so pissed off at my father, I didn’t bother doing a search to find out more about Gage. I kept our communications brief, sharing the bare minimum, since I was going to hang out with him for only a few hours. I didn’t even bother asking for a photo. Now, I see the error of my ways.
I would’ve much preferred being prepared for our first encounter.
When I approach the trio, Gage gets to his feet.
My eyes move up, and up, and up.
