Page 65 of One Little Mistake
“She’s not a woman who will bend to your will, East. She needs to be your equal in every way possible. I think home to her will be where she feels safe, where she feels loved, and where she can learn to trust again. Home isn’t always a building, brother. Sometimes, home is whoever holds your heart.”
“When did you become so smart?” I chuckle.
“I’ve always been the smartest, asshole. I’m just finally ready to let you all know it.”
Raising my fist, we meet halfway. “Welcome to the chaos, little brother.”
Ashton smiles, but it’s forced. Whatever shitstorm’s brewing, Ashton is hell-bent on getting us through it, alone.
Chapter 25
Lexi
“Could Julia have chosen a more revealing dress for me?”
“You look beautiful, Lex. We all basically have the same dress,” Lanie lies.
“You’re full of shit, Lanie. If I tilt back even an inch, you’re going to see ass crack. The back is so wide open it’s not possible to wear a bra, and the silky material has my headlights on high beam.”
“But you look sexy.”
“Says the girl in the spaghetti strap gown that completely covers you.”
“Oh, geez. You’re such a drama queen. Come on, I’m sure Julia’s ready to get the party started. We can’t hide out in the bathroom all night.”
Crap. That was actually my plan. I’ve successfully avoided Easton, but I could feel his gaze on me during the ceremony like hot wax.
“Fine, let’s go.”
Lanie opens the door, and we barrel right into a chest I know well.
“Oh, shoot. Sorry, East. I didn’t see you there,” Lanie apologizes, but volleys her gaze between East and me.
“No worries, Lanes. Do you mind if I steal your lovely cousin away for a moment, though?”
“Ah, of course not. I’ll see you in there, Lex.” Leaning in, she gives me a kiss on the cheek so she can whisper, “Be nice.”
“Ugh, I’m always nice.” Both Lanie and Easton stare at me with open amusement.
“Fine, I’m mostly nice.”
“We’ll see you in there, Lanie.” Easton’s voice sends a chill down my spine. As he speaks, his eyes never leave mine.
Lanie bobs back and forth between us a few times, then must assume we’re good and takes off for the ballroom.Traitor.
“You can’t avoid me forever, Locket.”
“Lexi,” I correct him.
He takes a step closer, and as much as I want to take a step back, I hold my ground. I can’t let anyone intimidate me again.
“I’ve missed you.” The low timbre of his voice makes my body come alive. Another traitor.
“You don’t.”
“I do. I may be an asshole, Lex, but I’ve never been a liar.” He takes another step forward. “I don’t like that you keep running from my bed before I wake up.”
“Huh, isn’t that how one-night stands are supposed to go? Jesus, I’d want a random out of my bed before I went to sleep.”
