Page 100 of Bound By Threads
Angel leans in. “What’s that about?”
“He’s trying to make amends.”
Zara watches me closely. “Are you going to talk to him?”
I shake my head. “Not tonight. A tomorrow’s Lottie’s problem, remember?”
A phone rings, somehow louder than the music. We all turn to see where it’s coming from, and I see Elijah stand from the booth, speaking in low tones, his face hardening.
Crew leans back in his seat, watching him. “Wife problems?”
I don’t think he means to say it loud enough for me to hear, but I do. I glance at Elijah’s hand, and I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.
A ring.
On his left ring finger.
A wedding band.
My stomach drops.
I don’t know why it hits me like this. Maybe it’s the way he looked at me when I locked him in that room. Maybe it’s the fact he’s here, with his friends, away from her, pretending like nothing’s changed and telling me empty words.
I take a sip of the cocktail, the sweetness doing nothing to settle the storm brewing inside me.
Angel and Zara both watch me, wearing matching worried expressions. “You good?”
I nod because Elijah isn’t my problem.
I promised him forgetfulness, and that’s what he’ll get.
I force a smile. “Let’s just enjoy ourselves tonight, yeah?”
They nod, and for a moment, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I can.
Chapter41
Lottie
The library is silent, the only sound being the soft rustling of pages turning.
I thought I could hide away from my problems. Bury myself in the maze of books as I try to convince myself it’s because I’m looking for one for my paper.
I’m standing near the back eyes scanning a shelf, lost in thought as my fingers trace the spine of something I’ll never read.
I try to steady my breath, to calm the wild beating of my heart, but it’s useless.
I feel like I’m drowning.
“Running away again, Reyes?” Roman’s voice cuts through the haze, low and mocking, and I’m transported back to two years ago.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I freeze, fingers stilling against the shelf.
I take a shallow breath, and finally face him, my back stiff, my hands balled into fists at my sides. “I’m not running away. I’m looking for a book, if that isn’t obvious.”
“Really?” he sneers, stepping closer, invading my space until there’s no distance left between us. “Because it looks more like you’re hiding. Trying to pretend you’re someone else, but Iknowyou. You’re a coward who doesn’t care about anyone but herself.”
I swallow hard, my throat tight.
