Accidentally Yours (Merffy Kizzmet) novel Chapter 81

Lola

The elevator opened to the twenty–second floor, and Lola stepped into the kind of suite that made you feel like you should have a champagne flute in hand at all times. Wide open living space, floor–to–ceiling windows flashing the LA skyline, bedrooms with beds that could sleep a small village.

She tossed her bag onto the couch like she was claiming land. “So, we’re all staying together?”

“Yup,” Gino confirmed, already tossing his duffel in one of the bedrooms. “One suite. Two rooms. Don’t make it weird.”

“It’s not weird,” Lola said, grinning like Christmas came early. “It’s perfect. You guys can help me pick outfits for tomorrow.”

Dom gave her a wary look. “This is about to be a trap, isn’t it?”

“Nope,” she said sweetly. “This is about to be a competition. The goal is comfort and making sure every other artist in that expo questions their life choices when they see me.”

They all took turns showering, steam fogging the mirrors while city lights bled in through the glass. Dinner was a block away–a cozy little bistro where pasta and wine worked their slow magic, loosening everyone up until laughter came easy.

By the time they made it back to the suite, Lola was warm from the wine and feeling bold. She dumped her bag onto the coffee table and clapped her hands. “Alright. Fashion show time.”

Gino groaned. “We’re really doing this?”

“Yes,” she said, already pulling out the first option–black high–waisted joggers, cropped long–sleeve with mesh cutouts, and clean white sneakers. Hair up, hoop earrings. She stepped out, spun once. “Comfy enough to work in, hot enough to make people stare?”

“Eight,” Gino said.

“Seven,” Dom countered. “Lose the hoops–you’ll catch them on something.”

Next: distressed denim shorts over black fishnet tights, oversized faded band tee knotted at the waist, chunky boots. Hair down, messy waves.

“Nine,” Dom said without hesitation.

“Eight,” Gino agreed. “But only if you add the leather jacket.”

She grinned and disappeared again. The third look was tailored cargo pants with a slim–fit tank, harness–style belt, and combat boots.

Gino tilted his head. “That’s… hot.”

Dom smirked. “You’re gonna make Enzo have a heart attack if you wear that one.”

She shot him a look over her shoulder. Noted.

The fourth outfit was a fitted black jumpsuit with a racerback cut, sneakers, and stacked bracelets.

“Ten,” Gino said before she even spoke,

Dom nodded. “Winner. You’ll be able to work in it all day, but…” His eyes narrowed. “What’s your plan for day two?”

“Oh, I’ve got that covered,” she said with a sly smile, already folding the jumpsuit neatly for tomorrow,

She collapsed onto the couch between them, satisfied. “Thanks for the feedback, gentlemen. Now we’re officially going to be the hottest booth at the expo.”

Chapter 81

Gino shook his head. “You mean you.”

“Same difference,” she said, smirking.

Expo Day 1

The convention center buzzed like a beehive–machines humming, voices overlapping, the faint smell of antiseptic cutting through coffee and hairspray. Lola tightened the last bolt on her armrest, smoothed the fresh black table cover, and lined up her ink bottles in perfect, rainbow–ordered rows.

She stepped back, hands on her hips, and took in her little slice of the expo floor. Everything was exactly how she wanted it–clean, organized, and ready to make her booth the place people stopped for more than just the art.

Her phone was already in her hand. She angled herself just inside the frame, the backdrop of her setup behind her, one hip cocked, mouth curved in that you wish you were here smirk. Quick snap. Send.

Lola: “Day one. Try not to miss me too much.”

You should’ve added and you can’t touch me, poor baby.

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