Chapter 18
Our “relationship had always been mutually beneficial.
I gave his traditional family the “respectable girlfriend they wanted, and he gave nor a shirld against
Being bisexual in elite c
circles had taught Marcus what it felt like to be judged and foam
“Plus,” he added with a wink, “if you could introduce me to some eligible mom strai bachelors, I wouldn’t object.”
My laugh felt genuine for the first time in days. As Marcus and Isolde launched into plans for his dating life, my attention drifted back in
woman,had slid onto the stool beside Caspian – her dress criminally short, her neckline dangerously low.
I recognized one of the receptionists from Victory Center as she placed her hand on his arm, squeezing his bicep appreciatively.
Caspian barely Inoked at her, offering only a perfunctory nod, his mind clearly elsewhere.
1 gripped my wine glass tighter, taking another long swallow.
The knot in my stomach had nothing to do with the woman’s advances and everything to do with the memory of Caspian stepping between me and Robert hours earlier.
Suddenly, Caspian glanced over his shoulder, his gate so direct I feared he could somehow sense mu watching. I quickly r
raised my glass to hide my face.
Marcus caught the movement, raising an eyebrow as he followed my line of sight. “Hiding from someone? The handsome NFL player, perhaps?
“What? No, nothing,” I stammered unconvincingly
To my horror, Marcus slid out of the booth and strolled over to the DJ in the corner. I watched in growing panic as he leaned down to whisper something. pointing at the music system.
“What did you just do?” I hissed when he returned.
“just requested a song for a special someone.” Marcus looked entirely too pleased with himself.
“Hey everyone,” the DJ’s voice echoed through the speakers. “This one goes out to someone special. You know who you are.”
The opening notes of a lost–and–found love song filled the restaurant – a melody about two people finding each other again after years apart.
Each lyric seemed crafted specifically for Caspian and me, pulling me into the enantional undertow. I’d fought so hard to escape
This time, my staze didn’t go unnoticed.
Caspian’s eyes met mine across the room, his lips parting slightly.
Just hours ago, we’d stood together against my worst nightmare. That connection remained, electric and undeniable,
geze shifted between me and Marcus, darkening with what looked like realization,
Tknew it.” Marcus nudged my arm. “You’ve got someone on your mind. And it looks muutual,
“I am absolutely not inin him,” I demed, my voice betraying me with a slight trenior
nor. “It’s complicated, but not like that
At that moment, Caspian stood, leaving the disappointed woman alone at the bar. As he passed our booth, his pace slowed noticeably
“Goodnight, Sage,” his voice was low and gentle. “See you tomorrow.
Alter he left, Marcus and Isolde exchanged knowing looks. Tomorrow sounds interesting,” “Marcus grinned
I shook my head and drained my glass, unable to deny the complicated mixture of hope, fear, and anticipation swirling in my chest.
As we laughed and talked into the night, no one noticed the slender woman i watched as with cold calculation, her phone screen illuminating her face-
Don’t weary about the lawyer hatch or her quarterback. I’ll handle everything my way
sumer houth. Bachel Miller–Roberts slaughter and my stepsister
Her eyes lingered on me a moment longer before she slipped out, unnoticed.
The was the a demon hidden in the dinners, about to inflict endless pain and suffering that I knew nothing about.
