Page 115 of Just Wait

“Do you think it’s a bad sign that we haven’t heard from the lawyer yet today?” she asks out of nowhere.

“I don’t,” I say truthfully. “I’ve negotiated with the label many, many times. Sometimes things moved quickly. Other times it was days or even weeks before we would get a response.”

“Weeks?” She gasps. “Oh, shit. My nerves can’t handle this dragging out for weeks.”

“I honestly doubt it’ll take that long.” I give her shoulder a squeeze and kiss the side of her head. “They haven’t pulled Tangled Desires from the schedule. That says it all. If they weren’t willing to play ball, they would have cut Theo and his band from the tour. Every time one of your songs is played on a label show is another infraction they would have to pay you for.”

Lumen shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s how that works.”

“Up until they knew? Maybe not,” I say gently. “Now that they do? That’s a different story. You could get real vengeful if you wanted to, and I’m pretty sure the courts would be on your side. I know Hawthorne. He would have told you to sign the first offer if he didn’t believe he could get you a better number.”

“That makes sense,” she says, nodding. “I know he’ll get a percentage of whatever they pay me.”

Normally?

Yeah, he would.

However, I let him know about her situation, and I’m footing the bill for his services.

“How long have you been writing songs?” I ask, attempting to change the subject.

“Oh, man.” She laughs. “Since I was twelve or thirteen. Songs that are actually tolerable to listen to? That’s a much different story.”

I bark a laugh. “Yeah, I thought I was killing it on guitar when I got my first. I’m honestly surprised my grandma let me practice in the house rather than kicking me out and making me play in the garage.”

“That’s the grandma that you mentioned passed away?” she asks, tilting her face up to study mine as the security team comes to a stop in front of the store we’ve been aiming for.

“Yeah,” I agree, pain ripping through my chest. “She was a two-pack-a-day smoker. I rarely saw the woman without a cigarette in her hand, but I loved her so goddamn much. She got bladder cancer, which spread. By the time they caught it…”

“I’m so sorry,” Lumen says.

I tighten my hold on her shoulder and turn into her, planting my hand on her stomach to keep her from continuing forward. She’s been looking at me, and I don’t want her to walk into the bodyguard standing only three feet in front of her.

“It’s okay. It was a long time ago.” I smile tightly. “Now, are you ready to shop? I think we’re here.”

She nods, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I love browsing and trying things on, even if I know I can’t really afford them.”

Ha.

This little adventure is my first courting date.

I don’t give a fuck that she’s not an omega.

Betas deserve to be pampered too.

The store is mostly geared toward things Lumen will adore, but I find a few things I can try on, so she doesn’t clock that this little excursion is all for her.

I end up trying on a pair of ripped, black skinny jeans that are so snug in the crotch that my bulge looks obscene, no matter how I try to hide it. The tank top isn’t so bad, but it’s a cutoff, which is much more Malcolm’s style than mine. He loves them because they show off the wings and cross on his lower stomach and pelvis.

I’m just debating trying on the other jeans that I brought into the changing room when Lumen asks, “Are you decent? Can you help make sure I put this dress on properly?”

I chuckle, pulling the curtain and stepping into the hallway. “The jeans are okay, but I’ll probably pass. I’m going to grab this tank top for Mal, though.”

All rational thought evaporates as I catch sight of Lumen. She’s in a navy-colored dress with thin straps. It shows off her lithe neck, clavicles, and her shoulders, but the neckline is modest. It’s tight up top and flared after her waist with little pleats.

“Fuck me,” I whisper, licking my lips.

Lumen laughs, twirling her hair together and holding it over one shoulder as she gives me her back. “Can you check that the straps and the bow are in the right place?”