Page 235 of Money Reigns

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No.

El

?? Liv! calling Logan to my room is going to be uncomfortable.

I didn’t say call him to your room. I said distract him! Make him go out back.

El

Fine.??

I grin, toss the phone aside. Step one: complete.

I drag my suitcase from the closet onto the bed and unzip it.

I know I left it in here…

There it is.

Lingerie.

I grabbed it in the panic that day, shoving anything from the closet into the case.

Now I’m glad I did.

I lift a greenslip between my fingers. Then a blue. Hold them up to the light.

“Green or blue?” I whisper to myself.

Tonight, War’s not the only one who gets to set the rules.

***

The slip clings beneath my dress, silk whispering against my skin like a secret. The coat over me does nothing against the freezing night air.

I’ve been overthinking it all night; green or blue, too much or not enough, what if he doesn’t even look at me?

I wore it anyway.

Because tonighthasto be different.

The frosted glass door of the Inn glows with lamplight. I press my palms against the cool pane, peering in. Empty. No Logan at the desk. Relief spills through me.

Thank you, Ella.

I slip inside, the hush of the lobby wrapping around me. Everything smellsnew—polish, fresh wood, warm paint. My chest tightens. He did this. For my family. For me. My throat aches as I run a hand over the gleaming counter.

Then I freeze.

“Oh, shit.”

The old key board is gone. Just sleek little card slots now. My stomach sinks. Of course. War updated the locks. I can’t just sneak in anymore.

New plan.

Just going to have to knock and hope he answers.

He’s a light sleeper. A knock should wake him.

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