Page 49 of The Bitter Words

“Because we had this conversation already. Quit doing the shit you don’t wanna do. Figure out a way to do the stuff you do and start enjoying your life.”

I follow him down the hallway. “But this is different.”

“It’s not. You’re too high to understand that right now.” He glances at something. “Fuck, Livianna. It’s almost midnight. Cash is gonna kill me if we don’t get you to him now.”

I look over at the TV and realize there are only five minutes before the ball drops. I take a frantic sweep of the crowded room.

Callum isn’t anywhere and with that realization, the reason I left with Bren in the first place pegs me between the eyes. Zara.

Everyone here is jam-packed into the living room area to watch the countdown and she’s nowhere in sight. My blood pressure skyrockets.

Last year screeches into my brain. They were together.

Alone.

Not this year. I race down the winding staircase.

If she thinks she’s going to pull the same thing she did before, she’s got another thing coming.

Chapter Eleven

CALLUM/CASH

Then

Champagne Illusions & Designer Chemistry

The bubbles rise like promises, but every fizz is a trap hissing shut.

“Where is he?” Livianna’s voice booms through the bathroom door.

I step out, adjusting my clothes. She’s glaring at Leon, who’s standing next to the bar.

His home office is almost a replica of the one in the city. The colors and the artwork are the only things that distinguish the two.

“Livianna, we were just getting ready to have someone bring you to us.” Leon tops off three champagne flutes with Dom Pérignon. “Come get your glass of bubbly to bring in the New Year.”

She has her gaze locked on Leon like she’s about to claw off his face. What’s got her so upset?

“Lily?” I straighten out the hem of my black rocker-style button-down. “What’s the matter?”

Her head spins to me. She scans over me with red cheeks.

Her hell-fire eyes connect with mine. “Why are you fidgeting with your shirt? What have you been doing?”

“I was in the bathroom.” I point to the area behind me. “Why are you acting like you’re pissed off?”

“I thought…” She rolls back her shoulders. “It’s nothing. I was just afraid I was going to miss getting that kiss you promised me.”

“I gave you my word that we’d be twisting tongues at midnight. Why would you think I’d lie about that?” Realizing she needs some reassurance, I stroll to her and take her in a tight hug. “You know I don’t lie about anything. If I tell you we’ll be together and making out, you better believe it.”

“Now that we have that settled, come and enjoy the New Year’s Eve libations I’m offering.” Leon lifts two glasses and holds them out. “I won’t tolerate celebrating alone.”

She breaks out of my embrace and sways to the bar. “Thank you, Leon. Your hospitality hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

“I appreciate that.” He gestures to me to join them, which I do.

“Yeah, thanks for a great party, Leon.” I take the flute in one hand and slide my arm around Livianna’s waist.