Déja Vú

Loud Mornings and Confrontations

Leora

"Bitch, if you don't wake up now—"

An annoying, high-pitched voice that sounded a little too much like Kathani's, paired with an equally annoying hand shaking me not-so-gently, yanked me out of my sleep.

"I'm very sure I'm not owing anybody," I muttered, dragging the blanket over my head, "so why the noise?"

The blanket was immediately ripped away—harshly, if I might add.

"What the hell?" I sat up, rubbing my head. The headache was already pounding.

"Leora Aiko Kohen, would you get your ass off that bed immediately!"

I froze.

That voice.

"Londyn?"

I was out of bed in seconds, launching myself straight into her arms, completely ignoring the ridiculous number of people in my room—and of course, Kathani Woods.

"Top of the morning to you too," Kathani snickered from behind us.

I scoffed, tightening my grip on my sister. "When did you get here? Are Mum and Dad okay?"

She smiled softly. "I got in this morning. Mum and Dad are fine—and they send their regards."

I sighed, staring down at my feet. "I haven't been able to call them since I got back from Rome."

"And Mum said I should give you a proper scolding," she added, then winked. "But seeing how tired you look, I think I'll let this one slide."

I hugged her again, grateful.

"If the family reunion is over," Kathani cut in dryly, "can we get to work?"

I groaned, reaching for my phone on the bedside table.

3:30 a.m.

"She got everyone up at three-thirty in the morning?" I muttered.

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked Londyn, pointedly ignoring Kathani.

"She has a lot to do today," Kathani answered instead, already dragging me toward the bathroom. "You can fill her in while she showers."

"Okay, okay—but can you stop dragging her?" Londyn laughed.

Kathani didn't stop until I was inside the shower.

As warm water hit my skin and I brushed my teeth, Londyn explained why she was in town. She was still working as an event planner in London, but a client—clearly impressed—had flown her out to plan a major event.

I wasn't surprised. She was that good. She'd planned every event I'd ever had, plus several for my friends.

"So you actually didn't come to see me, then," I teased, stepping out in my robe and continuing to brush my teeth.

"I was going to fly to Malibu after the job," she said, hugging me from behind. "But then I saw your Snap and realized you were in town too."

"Okay, okay," I giggled as she squeezed me. "You can stop now."

"I need to get some sleep," she said eventually. "I'll be in Malibu once I'm done, and we'll catch up properly. Okay?"

I nodded. "Okay."

"Love you."

"Love you too!" I yelled as she left.

The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, I was ushered straight into the stylist's chair.