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She huffs, putting a hand over her heart, and mutters words I can’t quite understand. “You can’t just sneak up on people like that, Asher,” she barks, heaving a breath. “It’s rude.”
“Sorry,” I say, putting my hands up placatingly. My teeth sink into the side of my cheek, concealing the small smile trying to pull at my lips. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just in town and saw you over here. Thought I’d come over and say hi.” She blinks at me a few times as my words register, deepening the wrinkle on her forehead.
Jesus Christ. What the hell has gotten into me? I’m suddenly transported back to when I was a teenage boy, nervously talking to the first girl I ever laid eyes on. Nerves bristle under my skin. My palms friggin sweat so much, I’m wiping them down my jeans.
River rolls her eyes and sidesteps me, moving along the sidewalk slowly. “Why exactly are you following me?” she asks, shoving her new phone into her pocket.
Good fucking question. Why am I following her down the sidewalk when my car rests a block away from here? Why not just turn on my heel and walk in the opposite direction? The short of it is, I can’t. There’s a pull between River and me, begging me to tag along as she actively avoids looking at me. Perhaps my crushing guilt pushes me to fix things, or maybe, I genuinely miss her—my Little Brat.
“It’s a nice day for a walk.” I shrug, shoving my hands into my pockets, and fiddle with the lone key poking into my finger.
The sun’s heat blasts down on us as we walk side by side toward the middle of the square that makes up the center of downtown East Point Bluff. Several restaurants feature outside dining, where guests drink their coffees and enjoy a spread of breakfast items while chatting with their loved ones.
“I guess,” she says, unconvinced, peering around at the other people walking past on the semi-crowded sidewalk.
All trepidation leaves her face, falling to the wayside when we step into the square and stop directly in front of an unfamiliar shop bustling with noisy customers.
The glorious scent of rich coffee wafts through the air, perking up my senses. The absolute shit Gloria offered me stains my taste buds with its awful flavor, making me eager to wash it away. Not to mention, it did nothing to perk me up.
“Want some?” I ask, gesturing behind us as she looks around at the other shops around the square, still avoiding my gaze.
The remnants of the heated conversation between Rad, Callum, and River hang heavily in the air. Every muscle in River’s body seems to tighten with my suggestion, and her mossy green eyes find mine. Apprehension rests behind her gaze as she silently questions whether she should take me up on my offer. “Maybe a muffin, too?” My stomach rumbles at the thought of stuffing my face with sugar. I couldn’t touch food this morning without my stomach tightening into knots, but now that the conversation is over—all bets are off.
Her eyebrows furrow as she looks between the shop and me again. “This is really fucking suspicious, Evil Ash,” she says, pursing her lips while looking me over for ill intent. I’m unsure what is going through her mind, but it seems to be racing. My breath hitches in the back of my throat at the sound of my old nickname leaving her lush lips. Once again, bringing back the raging memories of our long, complicated past. “As long as you’re buying,” she says with a slight shrug, throwing open the front door.
I snort when she rushes into the shop without ensuring I am following, seeming so confident that I will be by her side and buy her the things she demands. Something so simple and small settles inside of me being this close to her again. River West has this aura about her that drags you in like a moth to the flame, and I can’t seem to help myself. No matter how badly this turns out, the moment River finds out my role in the entire situation, she won’t want anything to do with me. I will take my time and truly show River how sorry I am even before I confess my sins.
The smell of delicious coffee permeates the air as I slowly stroll behind her. Radiant energy cascades from her as she smiles at the people around her, pulling them into her happy little bubble. River waves to a few people around the shop, only stopping once to say hello to an elderly gentleman who greets her like she is family. She smirks back at me the moment we head toward the counter, making butterflies burst in my damn belly. The moment the barista’s beady eyes set on her; I swear his entire face lights up like fireworks exploding.
“River!” he happily shouts, smiling as we make our approach together. An eerie feeling settles in my gut when his eyes roam her body, greedily taking her in. A deep red blush takes over his neck and cheeks when she smiles at him again in greeting. Something odd bubbles inside me, and on instinct, my fists curl at my side, ready to bash his way too happy face into a pulp. There’s just something about him that doesn’t settle right with me. “Same thing today?”
“Hey, Nathan. Same coffee. Same breakfast muffin. But this guy is paying for everything. And also, whatever he wants,” she says with a sly smirk, patting me on the chest. The moment she indicates she’s with me, the barista cuts his gaze to me, giving me a withering look.
“Sure,” Nathan says tightly, dropping an octave and oozing with disapproval. “What can I get you?” His teeth grit, popping a muscle in his jaw. I would never notice the slight hostility dripping from him if I wasn’t such an observant person. But there it is in his unwavering stare.
It’s pathetic at best, but I offer him my friendly smile. “Thanks for asking,” I say, looking at his name tag and leveling him with a condescending smile. “Nathan. I’d love your best Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha and a chocolate muffin.” Discreetly, I scratch my nose to hide the grin tugging at my lips when he scowls. Begrudgingly, he puts in the order, pressing his lips into a tight line.
In some sick and twisted fate, an intense possessive feeling washes over me when he side-eyes River with a romantic interest. To her credit, she stands utterly oblivious to his affections, without an ounce of interest. Instead, her eyes lock on her new phone as she types something out quickly.
“Your name?” he asks as I give it to him, and he writes it down. “Okay, that’ll be thirty-four, ninety-nine,” he says, reclaiming his smile when I pull out my wallet and hand him a fifty.
“Keep the change.”
I want to tell him that she is way out of his league and that he should set his sights on somebody more his speed. River West would chew him up and spit him out in two seconds flat. Believe me, I know. As I waltz to River’s side, I make a show of it, leaning in a little closer than necessary. My shoulders brush hers, and surprisingly she leans into my side without conscious thought.
Nathan’s hands curl into fists on the counter until he sharply turns away, mumbling under his breath. If I were a betting man, I’d say he’s 100 percent going to spit in my drink as revenge.
“So, you never found your old one?” I ask, peeking over her shoulder as she signs into her cloud, sets up her new device, and gets back all her old pictures, messages, and everything in between.
“You’re very nosy this morning,” she grumbles, shoving her phone into her pocket again and hiding it from view.
“Just observant,” I mumble, staring deep into her gorgeous eyes that further pull me into her. I don’t know how I ever thought I’d get away from River and feel complete. The black hole that once swallowed my selfish heart slowly closes the more I’m in her presence.
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know where it went. I think I lost it at that fighting ring.” Blowing out an angry breath, she crosses her arms in aggravation. “How long has he been doing that?” She quirks a brow as her eyes silently beg for answers.
“Right,” I say, stroking my chin.
Callum’s fights. The one he runs to whenever things get too tough, instead of opening up and confiding in the people who have always been his family. Well, until he was scarred for life, witnessing Van shove his tongue down the love of his life’s throat. Fuck. No wonder we are falling apart at the damn seams. We can’t even confide in each other anymore. All we do is argue, and it fucking shows in our performances. There’s so much tension between us I have a hard time understanding where it came from. But the moment that thought enters my mind, I stare at why we fell apart. Years ago, I thought River would be the cause of our demise. I swore up and down that she would be the reason Whispered Words would never make it. And it doesn’t hurt to admit I was so fucking wrong.
