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“What’s next?” I ask, hoping to distract my brain from noticing the spark circling us once again. We quickly make our way to the cereal aisle, and I am overjoyed by the fact that Amber holds my hand the entire way.
I smile brightly when we both reach for the same cereal box simultaneously. I can’t help but notice how synced our brains are, even about silly things like types of cereal. We barely make it out of the aisle before Amber stops dead in her tracks.
“Shit, I forgot to grab some veggies while we were in the produce aisle,” she says.
“That’s simple enough,” I say, maneuvering the cart towards the veggies, almost clipping her heels.
“Jesus, you’re a bad driver with that, too!” she exclaims.
I’m going to hear about my driving for a long while,I think to myself. It doesn’t upset me, though. I can’t help but enjoy Amber’s jokes. I appreciate the attention she pays to me, even if it’s to my less favorable traits.
We make our way to the vegetables and become completely immersed in what greens to get, joking with each other the entire time.It’s a wonder we can get anything done. As much time as we waste, we’re never going to leave this market!
Suddenly, an unfamiliar male voice interrupts my thoughts. “Amber? Is that you?”
9
AMBER
Ihear Damien’s voice behind me, and my face pales. It feels like all the blood leaves my body, and my palms sweat as I turn around slowly to face him. My heart sinks when I’m not only facing him, but my cousin he left me for as well.
My hands ball into fists, and my blood starts to boil when I see them together. It’s not even just a fling he left me for. He created a whole new relationship with her, and it hurts a little worse knowing it’s continued. I don’t want their happiness waved under my face. I wanted to think they’ve both suffered and regret their mistake, not thrived because of it.
Rachel’s eyes stare me up and down like the mean girls in high school who were always judging your outfit. I hate her smug grin. Like she’s still prancing around, knowing she has him and thinking I’m still the lame girl she took him from.
“It’s been five years, and you still don’t have a boyfriend? How dull. I would have hoped you’d moved on by now. I mean, I know Damien’s amazing and probably devastating to get over, but that’s a little embarrassing,” she says, clinging to Damien’s side and sneering.
My rage is now fired up, and the only thing that’ll extinguish it is putting her in her place.
How dare she see me after five years and still try to rub this shit in my face. You got a man who’s a liar and a cheater. You don’t have the prize you think you do, honey.
As I’m about to retaliate with an even better insult, Kaden’s masculine arms wrap around my waist and cradle me against his chest. His body is so warm, and I melt to his touch instantly.
“Love, who are these two?” he asks.
“This is my cousin Rachel, and that’s Damien, an ex of mine,” I say, pointing to them.
“Care to introduce them to your husband?” he asks. My heart pounds as soon as he says the words, and their looks are priceless. Damien’s face pales, and Rachel’s mouth falls open.
“I’d love to, babe! Damien, Rachel, this is my husband, Kaden. He’s the CEO of EN Technologies.”
Neither of them says a word for a moment, and it feels fantastic. I don’t usually like making people feel bad about themselves, but these two deserve a taste of their own medicine.
“Nice to meet you, man,” Damien says, holding a hand out for Kaden to shake. He shakes it, and I can’t help noticing how aggressively Kaden takes it. It’s a very alpha move, but in this circumstance, it makes me smile.
“Yeah. What’re you guys doing at this market?” he asks, ignoring his fake greeting.
“We like to shop here sometimes. We just don’t make it down here too often. They were just having a sale on soda, and we needed to restock, so –!”
Rachel interrupts. “Wait, CEO. That’s high up, right?” she asks.
Kaden chuckles. “Yes. It’s as high up as I can go. It’s my company.”
Her mouth falls open again. “So, Amber, you married a rich man, huh? That’s insane.”
I nod and squeeze his side. “Yes, but the money is just a bonus. He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met and treats me like royalty. I’d never have to worry about him going elsewhere.Youknow how awful it feels to have to worry about that, Rachel.” I can’t resist sneaking in a subtle insult to help myself feel better.
She gasps, and they storm off as she grabs Damien’s hand, yanking him back out the entrance. I turn back toward the cart, giggling at having the opportunity to remind her that Damien’s a pig.
