She posted a bodyguard at the door so I couldn't run.
Water rushed from the faucet, and my reflection stared back at me with ice-cold eyes.
I pressed the hidden button on the back of my mechanical watch.
A faint crackle of static lasted two seconds before a voice came through, equal parts roguish and wounded.
"I thought you'd thrown that watch away. What, you finally decided I'm not so bad after all?"
"Fair warning: if you're about to tell me you went and got a marriage license, I will throw myself off this building. Try me."
My voice came out level.
"No license. We broke up. She's making me wash her boy toy's underwear in front of a crowd."
"If you still want this marriage, don't make me waste my breath."
The other end went quiet for half a second.
When Ebony Mason spoke again, the excitement and fury in her voice were almost tangible.
"The Regalia Hotel?"
"Sit tight. I'll make that woman eat every last pair."
I was brought back to Noel.
Lauren hooked her arm through his, her tone dripping with tenderness. "Noel, today Laurence won't stop washing until you tell him to. Not until you're completely satisfied."
"Do you like your present?"