Page 157 of The Bitter Words

“Wow, that’s soon.” Her shoulders round as if she’s defeated. “I don’t know why, but it hurts that you didn’t tell me before now.”

My heart constricts. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it would make a difference to you.”

“You just told me something I’ve wanted to hear for over a year. How can you not see that’s information I’d want to know? Why didn’t you think to say something about your move to me last night?”

“Livianna, we barely speak. We’ve only seen each other on limited occasions.”

“But I’ve tried to reach out to you. I even made a pass at you on the beach and you pushed me away.”

“You were high as a kite.”

She puffs out a resolved breath. “All the better since this is where it ends.”

With that, we sit in an awkward silence. She breaks our confused stare and continues eating her meal. Hesitantly, I do the same.

She puts on an iron mask, shielding her authentic emotions. “I appreciate what you told me about fate last night.”

I flinch at the sudden switch of topics. “You remember that?”

“Yes, Jaxon. I was buzzed, but I wasn’t blackout drunk.”

“Fate’s easier to meet when you’re clear-headed.”

“Understood.”

I want to confront her on mixing alcohol with drugs, but I focus on ending our interaction on a positive note. “You said you hadn’t really thought about having a destiny.”

“I haven’t, but I will now. It’s comforting to believe in fate. Where can I learn more about it?”

“There are a ton of books on the subject. Just go to a bookstore and I’m sure they have an entire section.”

She raises her eyebrows and nods. We discuss the topic while we finish our breakfast. Even though the conversation flows, there’s a heaviness in the air that I don’t quite understand.

Once we’re done, she tries to change and give me back my clothes, but I insist she stay comfortable.

She gathers her belongings and makes some smart-assed comment about walking through the hotel in heels and in a sweatshirt and shorts. We laugh it off and I walk her to the door barefoot.

Her strappy heels hang from her finger as she peers up at me. “Then this is goodbye?”

“It looks like it.”

“But there’s still a chance.”

“Livianna, you know it could never work between us.”

A smile curls her lips. “It could.”

“How do you figure?”

“What if it’s fate? We keep running into each other. There’s an obvious attraction, so I’m just saying…there’s a possibility.”

With her words, I know it’s a good thing I’m moving and will be away from her. Because if I spend any more time with her, I’ll give in to the pressure of her coming on to me and fall right into her dangerous spell.

Chapter Thirty-Three

LIVIANNA/LILY

Then