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Jade set bags on the counter then reached for my hands. Laying my palms in hers, we gave one another an air kiss on the cheek.
“How are you feeling, lovely?”
Shifting my gaze back and forth between her and Luke, I ignored her question, making a new discovery with a genuine grin. “Did you guys come here together?” Pointing my finger back and forth at them, I cocked my head. “You guys are still just friends, ri—”
They exchanged a quick glance before Luke raised his brows, taking a sip of the beer he’d opened. Just as Jade mustered a reply, Jenna entered the room, welcoming them. Luke shot me a brief squint before we all followed Ian into the family room.
I couldn’t help but continue to watch Luke and Jade closely, trying to determine if my suspicions were accurate. They’d always had this weird friendship since I’d known them, but over the past months, they’d been appearing in a lot of places at the same time and disappearing together as well.
We crowded around the coffee table. Alejandro planted himself next to me on the floor. Luke sat on the other side of me. Jade, Jenna, and Ian sat on the couch. The game started, and it was nice to have a distraction. Game night was one of my favorite times, with or without Chance. Sure, it would have been much better if he were a part of it, but for now, if I had any hope of getting over him, it was better he wasn’t present tonight.
The night progressed, and we played several more games after Luke and Ian took turns winning Clue. I swear those fuckers cheated. While Jenna was setting up the next, I decided I would go get another glass of wine. As I stood, I stumbled. Alejandro caught my elbow, helping me stabilize myself.
He flashed a charming smile. “Let’s get you some water instead.”
“I p-prefer wine,” stuttering in protest, I faltered my way to the kitchen.
After escorting me to a barstool at the island, he strode to the refrigerator. Pulling out a bottle of water, he opened it before taking my hand in his, wrapping my fingers around the container. I took several sips while he studied every inch of my face, absorbing my movements. Heat rose in my cheeks, and I felt myself getting shy.
Propped on an elbow, he leaned on the island. “Has anyone ever told you how pretty your eyes are?”
“Yes.” Dropping my head, I stroked the warmth of my face, nodding. “My ex told me daily.”
Placing a finger under my chin, he forced my gaze to his. “Well, he was right.”
Maybe the alcohol was getting to him, but I felt he was too handsy for having just met me. Twisting on the stool, I pulled my face away from his grasp.
“Sorry.” Adjusting his posture, he withdrew his touch, the corners of his lips twitching. “I always forget American women don’t know how passionate us European men can be when we want something.”
“You don’t even know me.” I wrinkled my nose.
“Well,” a coy smile crept onto his mouth, “let me get to know you.” Something about his face was suddenly familiar to me.
“I’m not sure, I—”
“As friends.” He rested his hands on my knees. Immediately, he withdrew them. “Sorry.”
Weighing the answer in my mind, I closed my eyes briefly, thinking about the only man who had my heart. Sadness was soon replaced with anger. If he could have sex with other women, then it wouldn’t hurt anything if I went out with a nice man who Ian seemed to approve of. I trusted anyone the Knight family deemed trustworthy.
“Uh, did you fall asleep?” He nudged my thigh.
My eyes snapped open. “Sorry I was thinking.”
Just as he laughed, my phone rang. I slid it out of my pocket, but my face dropped when I saw Chance’s photo on the screen. Suddenly, I felt as if I had been doing something wrong. The phone almost slipped from my grip as I fumbled to hang on to it.
“Take the call.” He lifted his chin at it. “I’m not going anywhere for a few days if you change your mind.”
Nodding, I sped out of the room, freezing in my tracks the moment I entered the hallway. The last time Chance called me, he didn’t mean to. I had to listen to him and another woman before my hand would no longer support the weight of my phone. Taking a deep, anxious breath, I answered without saying a word.
Amber?his low voice whispered nervously through the phone.
Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, unable to utter a word while I tried to control my breathing.
Can we talk?The pleading in his tone was unfamiliar to me. Chance didnotplead or beg for anything.
Leaning on the wall in the corridor, I gripped the phone tighter. Tears plunged silently from my eyes. My body shook, and I fought back the anxiety. My lips begged to cry out for him, but my mouth gaped open wordlessly. My heart felt constricted while pain circulated in my chest. I felt… shattered.
Please give me any sign that you’re listening to me. Shit, Amber.
