Page 263 of The Heart You Kept

“How did he get in?” Edward’s eyes come back to meet mine.

“How would I know?”

“He must have come as a plus-one.”

“Don’t trust him.”

“I don’t.”

“She’s too nice, she thinks he’s harmless.”

“You don’t?”

“No.”

“Me neither.”

Alora grabs Edward’s hands. “Let’s dance.”

“Okay.” He walks her backward and winks at me as they disappear.

I’m going to go for a walk and see if I can see him, I don’t trust this fucker for a second. I walk around the bar and through the dance floor. Edward and Alora are dancing and laughing; they look so in love. I smile as I keep walking around.

I go out onto the veranda and out into the garden and there, sitting on the side of the fountain, is a sight so beautiful that it stops me in my tracks.

A blond woman, with peachy cream skin and dimples. The biggest, most perfect blue eyes I have ever seen.

The air leaves my lungs as I stare at her, riveted to the spot.

She looks up at me and I swear, the earth moves beneath me. Our eyes are locked as the air crackles between us.

What is this?

She stands and walks to me. “Hello.”

“Hello.” My stomach flutters in excitement, I don’t ever remember having such a physical reaction to someone before.

Visceral.

“Have we met?” she asks. Her voice is soft, and angelic…. Ethereal.

“I….” I stare at her, lost for words. “Unfortunately not.”

She puts her hand out to shake mine. “My name is Amaya.”

“Hello, Amaya.” Before I can stop myself I have her hand lifted to my mouth and I kiss the back of it. “My name is Thomas.”

She smiles and puts her hand up in a stop symbol, I glance around in a daze, what’s she doing?

“Let’s go and talk somewhere.” She takes my hand in hers and pulls me through the garden.

“What are you doing?” I ask as we walk.

“Giving us privacy. Just around here.” She pulls me into another courtyard, it has a smaller water fountain and a stone bench, which she sits on. “Sit with me.” She taps the bench beside her.

I sit down, my heart in my throat, confused by the effect she has on me.

We stare at each other and it’s like I know her…but I don’t. Her eyes linger on my face. “You’re beautiful,” she whispers.