Chapter 206

Lucie felt her skin tingle all over. June was honestly something else. Every time she spoke, it was like she smashed Lucie's worldview and pieced it back together with something even wilder. Those bold, scandalous comments just rolled right off June's tongue like it was the most natural thing in the world. Lucie had never met anyone so shamelessly open and yet so cluelessly innocent, so proud but also so blunt.

June swatted his hand away and glared. "I'm literally complimenting you. Why do you keep trying to shut me up?"

"Gee, thanks for the 'compliments.' Maybe save them for someone else."

"Hmph, you're no fun." Without missing a beat, June turned to Lucie. “So, Lucie, you and your ex are really divorced, right?"

"Yeah, we are," Lucie replied.

June's eyes sparkled. "So... could you introduce me to him?"

Lucie just gaped. Her brain felt like it was short-circuiting. "Wait, didn't you say you wanted to marry Elio?"

June shrugged, completely unfazed. "Getting married is one thing. Doesn't mean I can't appreciate a hot guy, right?"

Lucie was honestly speechless.

"You have his number, don't you? Can you send it to me?"

“Uh... actually, I deleted it," Lucie stammered.

"What? Why'd you do that? He's so hot! Wouldn't it be fun to hit him up every now and then?"

Elio finally lost it. “Can you not? Don't drag Lucie into your mess. Not everyone lives like you, okay?"

June crossed her arms, totally unapologetic. "Oh please, it's just human nature. Like eating or sleeping. Nothing wrong with it."

"Whatever. Why don't you hurry up and go back to Elmridge?"

"Why should I? Lucie hasn't told me to leave. Who are you to boss me around?" June smirked and grabbed Lucie's arm. "Lucie, can we be friends?"

"Uh, sure. Why not?" Lucie said, a little awkwardly.

"Yay! We're officially best friends now."

Lucie gave a weak laugh. "...Okay."

Elio looked like he was about to blow a fuse. "June, seriously, cut it out."

"I'm staying in Westbrook for Lucie, not you, so mind your own business."

Lucie could sense another argument brewing, so she jumped in, waving her hands. "Okay, enough, both of you. If we're all friends, let's just try to get along, alright?"

"Exactly!" June grinned. "I'm starving. How about we grab something to eat together?"

Lucie nodded, resigned. "Alright."

June's grin

super widened. "There's this

super fancy club in

Westbrook-great food, drinksel

everything. My treat tonight."

"I'm not going," Elio grumbled.

"Suit yourself. Lucie, let's go." June started pulling Lucie toward the door.

“Lucie, don't let her drag you off-hey, Lucie, wait!" Elio called after her.

But June was already hauling Lucie out, and Elio, with a sigh, had no choice but

to trail along behind them.

***

Meanwhile, over in New Amberton...

At Rose Manor.

"Bria, have you picked out a wedding dress yet?" Steven asked.

Bria's face was unreadable, her voice flat. "...Anything is fine. Honestly, I don't even care if I wear one."

Steven felt a pang in his chest. She'd been like this for days-cold, distant, totally indifferent. Whenever he tried to talk to her, shed barely say a word. If he stayed quiet, she was even quieter.

"Bria, I have to go to Westbrook for a conference the day after tomorrow. I'l probably be gone a week."

Bria's dark eyes flickered, just barely. "A conference in Westbrook?"