Chapter 20
I stared at him like he had completely lost his mind.
“I’m sorry,” I said, one brow lifting, “what did you just say?”
He didn’t blink. “Can I go with you?”
I blinked back. “Why would you want to come with me! You’ve been out all day, you’re probably tired, and 1 thought you were the busiest man alive.”
He leaned against the doorframe, one shoulder resting there casually. “It’s not that serious. I just want to make sure you’re fine.”
“Kent can go,” I said, stepping slightly to the side, “he’s already on guard duty.”
“Kent’s fine,” he said, lifting one hand slightly, “but it’d be better if I went.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Better for who?”
He looked right at me. “People clearly want to see us together. That’s what this whole thing is about, right?”
I stayed quiet, trying to read him, but his face didn’t give much away.
“It’s a girl’s hangout, I reminded him, trying to sound firm.
“I won’t bother you,” he said, pushing off the doorframe now, “you won’t even notice I’m there. I’ll just be doing my own thing in the corner. You can focus on your girls”
I stared at him, unsure of what to say. I didn’t understand what game he was playing, but I couldn’t bring myself to fight it. He wasn’t acting possessive. He wasn’t even acting like he cared that much. But the fact that he wanted to go at all—it surprised me.
“Okay.” I said slowly, nodding once, “No problem.”
He gave a slight nod and turned to leave the room. “I’ll go change. Give me five minutes.”
I walked to the mirror near the stairs, fixed my hair, smoothed out my top, and waited. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but when he came back down, my eyes did a double take.
He wore a dark shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to show his forearms, paired with dark jeans and a chain on his wrist. His hair looked freshly styled like he’d run his fingers through it once to make it fall perfectly out of place.
I looked away befor I stared too long
It didn’t matter. He was hot, I already knew that. But that wasn’t the point of tonight.
“Ready asked, slipping his phone into his back pocket.
I nodded and walked toward the front door. “Let’s go
The car nde was quiet, too quiet. I sat with one leg crossed over the other, bag in my lap, trying not to look over, but failing miserably.
I kept stealing glances at
He had one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting near the gearshift. His expression hadn’t changed once since we left the house. He looked calon collected the way he always did. The lights from the passing buildings flickered against his jawline, and I couldn’t help but notice how sharp hu prutile looked in the dark.
He didn’t say a word
After a les more glances, lac spoke
“What is gf fir asked, looking at me
1 st up a little straighter. “Nothing”
He finally turned his head, just slightly, before looking back at the road.
“You’ve been staring for a while,” he said flatly.
Chapter 20
“I said it’s nothing.” I replied quickly, shifting my gaze out the window.
He didn’t say anything after that.
1 focused on the city outside until we pulled into the lounge’s lot. It was tucked away on a quiet street corner, lined with outdoor lanterns and glass doors, Warm lights glowed through the windows, giving the place a soft, cozy feel.
He pulled up in front and put the car in park.
“I’ll be waiting here,” he said
turned to him. “You sure? You don’t want to come in?”
He looked at me for a second, then shook his head once. “I’ll be fine.”
I grabbed my bag and stepped out, walking across the short path toward the entrance.
Inside, the place was bright and warm, filled with soft music and laughter. A group of women had taken over one of the corner lounge areas, drinks already in hand. Natasha was the first to spot me.
She stood up from the velvet couch, waving with both hands. “Ellen!”
smiled and made my way over.
Natasha w
was tall with dark brown skin and tightly styled curls, dressed in fitted jeans and a gold tank top. Her makeup was subtle, but her smile could light up the whole place.
She pulled me into a hug.
“I’m so glad you came, she said, stepping back to look me over “Wow you look amazing.
“Thanks” I smiled.
There were a few others too–girl I recognized from school but had never been close to. One of them handed mea glass of something pink with fruit fkating inside.
“You really married Karl Lever?” one of the girls asked with a grin. “Like, the Karl Lever?”
I just smiled, keeping my answer vague. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Girl” another added, laughing, “you hit the jackpot. You’re glowing”
Natasha looped her arm though mine and rugged me toward the couch. “Come on, sit. We have a lot to catch up on
Isank into the cushions, amiling more than 1 had in weeks.
We were laughing about agine old school trip when someone brought up a vacation disaster that turned into a food fight. I was laughing so stomach hurt, half covering my mouth with my hand, cheeks sore from smiling.
1 hadni felt this good in a while.
hard my
Everyone was talking about their jobs, their relationships, kids, life. Natasha was telling a story about a date w suddenly tar table went quiet
who brought his mom to dinner when
Hooked up, confused
Everyone’s attention had shufted
The girls acts from ane stopped mid
entence. One of them tilted her head, eyes wide, while the other reached for her phone with shaky fingers. There were quiet gaspa and exchanged looks
Karl was standing at the entrance, hands in his pockets, black shirt clinging to his chest, eyes scanning the room like he owned the place.
Iblinked
He didn’t look at anyone else. Not the gul who openly whispered “oh my God to her friend. Not the two that were already elbowing each other saver how hut he looked in person. He walked past all of them.
Chapter 20
Straight to me
Before I could say a word, he reached for n
my wrist, gently but firmly, and pulled me to my feet.
“I’m sorry,” he said to the group, voice calm but final. “I have to steal her back for tonight”
The girls were too stunned to speak. Natasha’s mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out. I stumbled a little as he turned, already walking toward the exit with my hand still in his.
“What… Karl, what are you doing?” I asked under my breath as we moved past the hostess and out the door.
He didn’t answer.
I followed him to the car, confused, glancing back once to see all the girls still watching through the glass
The moment we got inside, I turned to him.
“Okay, what was that? 1 wasn’t done in there. You said you wouldn’t even bother me, remember?”
He sat behind the wheel, jaw tight, his hand already on the ignition.
He looked over at me, eyes sharp.
The media just leaked intimate photos of you and Darren. Alone. In that hotel room,
My stomach dropped.
‘re everywhere.” he added. “It’s already gone viralTM
They re
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