Page 23 of My Sunfall

The next day, I am restless and nervous, jumping every time the bell of the door to the coffee shop chimes, expecting him to walk in. But he doesn’t, and Saturday goes by as usual. After the noon rush, I receive a text from Ethan.

Hey babe, still good for going out after the gym?

I hesitate. Maybe I should cancel, I am in no mood to go for a night out. Ethan has been taking me out every week, and even though I enjoy the quiet conversations we have over dinner and the tender kisses afterward, the situation begins to take a strain on me. I feel like I’m leading him on, and maybe I should have pushed for a no-strings attached kind of relationship three months ago. It’s too late now, and I know I’ll have to draw the line soon before he gets any more attached. Maybe I should tell him tonight.

Sure, see you then.

Coward, my mind screams.

r

Chapter Fifteen

Chiara

I set my water glass down and smile faintly at Ethan. He has been talking non-stop about that new exposition in the art gallery his sister owns. She invited us to the vernissage. Us, as in he and I. He had told his sister about me, making everything even more official. Am I ready to meet his family? My hands shake so badly I have to hide them under the table.

He looks expectantly at me, but I didn’t hear his question, I wasn’t paying attention. I take a breath, as my eyes lift and I see the door. And I freeze.

He is there, prowling through the doorway like a predator on the hunt, eyes already locked on me. My heart starts hammering against my ribs.

No please, no. Don’t come this way.

But he does. In two strides Lucas is standing by our table, smiling grimly down at me.

“Well, well, fancy seeing you here... Cara.” The name sounds like a threat on his lips, and I swallow. I don’t even wonder how he found out my new name. In a small town, nothing remains a secret for long.

Ethan looks up in confusion. “I don’t think we’ve met?”

I shake my head, eyes still on Lucas. “He’s an…old friend.”

Something like irritation flashes in his eyes, but his smile doesn’t falter. His gaze briefly flickers to Ethan with a calculating glint, then back at me.

He finally lets out a low, dangerous chuckle. “No, we haven’t met. But I know Cara”— his gaze returns to me—“and imagine my surprise, seeing you two here.” He narrows his eyes until they glint like blue steel from under his lashes. “And I’m not fond of surprises.”

He looks back at Ethan and holds out his hand. “Lucas Romano, an old friend of Cara’s.”

Ethan takes his hand and shakes it. “Ethan Holt. Cara’s”—his eyes dart to me, uncertainty written in them—“date,” he finishes and a pang of uneasiness and remorse creeps up my spine. I swallow hard, trying to steady my breath.

Lucas’ gaze is back on me. “Date…” he murmurs darkly, even though his smile is still in place. “Interesting.”

I clench my fists under the table, anger and fear warring inside me. “Lucas… please,” I murmur, willing him to leave us alone.

His gaze holds mine for another long beat then he straightens. “It was nice seeing you again after so long.” He turns to leave. “Enjoy your dinner,” he says over his shoulder, and it sounds frighteningly like a threat.

I exhale shakily, feeling like we narrowly escaped a snarling beast.

“Who…was that?” Ethan asks quietly.

My heart is still beating too loudly. I force my voice to sound calm. “He’s…a friend from another life.”

Ethan exhales. “He seems intense.”

“Yeah…” I don’t know what to make of that. “He wasn’t like that when I knew him back then.” I shrug, trying to change the subject. “So, when is the vernissage again?”

* * * *

From that night on, I see him everywhere.