Free Lust by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page B

books?” It didn’t
    seem like she was all that surprised
    Allures were still around.
    “We’re all entitled to our
    secrets, Daisy. Don’t you think?”
    “In theory.”
    “You of all people should
    understand that life doesn’t always
    work out the way we plan.”
    “I definitely do.” I locked eyes
    with hers. “You can tell me, you
    know. I can keep a secret.”
    “Get better, reverse your
    change, and come back. We can
    celebrate and share stories.”
    “Okay.” It wasn’t my place to
    push her. It wasn’t fair after all she
    had done for me.
    She patted my hand. “Give
    yourself some time to rest. I can
    send Owen in if you want.”
    I shook my head. “No. If he sees
    me like this he’s going to freak out.”
    “Yet you wanted me to get him
    if you blacked out?”
    “That would have been
    different. I need to deal with this
    myself. Find my own strength.”
    “That’s the right idea, but don’t
    forget it’s okay to rely on a little bit
    of his strength too.”
    “A little bit sure, but this is going
    to take a lot.”
    She nodded. “I do have one
    more idea.”
    “Oh yeah?”
    “Does any food appeal to you?”
    “My stomach is doing flips.” I put
    a hand on my upset stomach.
    “I know, but does anything
    sound good?”
    “Chocolate chip cookies.” They
    always sounded good.
    “Perfect. I happen to have some
    cookie dough waiting in the
    freezer.”
    “For real?”
    “Don’t act so surprised. I have a
    sweet tooth.”
    “How did you know I’d be
    craving something?”
    “This isn’t my first rodeo.”
    “You’ve dealt with someone else
    becoming an Allure?” I sat up with a
    start. That changed things. She
    knew more than she was saying.
    “Not this exact situation, but I
    know what this type of potion does
    to a person.”
    “I need a few minutes, and I’ll
    be fine.”
    “Should I go work on those
    cookies?”
    “Sure. I’ll wait here.”
    “You know he’s going to want to
    come in.”
    “Fine.” I struggled to sit up. My
    body ached, and I was
    overwhelmed with exhaustion.
    Mayanne quickly helped prop me
    up with pillows. “I’ll let him know
    you’re ready to see him.”
    “Thanks.” I struggled to come
    up with the words to sum up my
    gratitude. “For everything.” I hoped
    she knew what I was really trying
    to say. That I was in debt to her.
    “Of course. I’m sorry this
    happened to you, but maybe in the
    end it will be worth it. If you can
    step up to the challenge and fix
    things, you’ll get your happily ever
    after.”
    “I’ll settle for a happily for now.”
    She smiled. “You must be
    feeling better. You’re making
    jokes.”
    “It’s all this talk about cookies.
    It’s amazing what the thought of
    baked goods can do to a person.”
    “I’m on it.” She patted my leg
    before leaving the room and closing
    the door behind her.
    Within seconds the door burst
    open. “Are you okay?” Owen ran
    over to the bed.
    “I’ve been better, but I’m fine.
    Mayanne is making me cookies.”
    “I heard. Should I take it as a
    good sign that you have an
    appetite?”
    “I need to get the bad taste out
    of my mouth.” I downplayed how I
    really felt. There was no reason to
    worry him needlessly. It would only
    upset him, and he’d take it out on
    Violet and Hugh. If I was going to
    be with the three of them, I didn’t
    want to give them any more reason
    to fight.
    Owen put a hand on my
    forehead.
    “Are you checking for a fever?”
    He smiled. “Maybe.”
    “This stuff is supposed to help,
    not hurt.”
    “The important words are
    ‘supposed to’. We knew there was a
    risk involved.”
    “I trust Mayanne. If the risk was
    too great she wouldn’t have given it
    to me.”
    “You know I trust her. I brought
    you here the first time…”
    “I know.” I patted the bed.
    “We’ve returned to the scene.”
    “We have.” He sat down beside
    me, stretching his long legs out
    next to mine.
    “That was an amazing kiss.”
    It was. He