Page 107 of Angel Eyes

The sight of her retreating form hit me straight in the solar plexus, and I stalked after her, closing a hand around her elbow before she could clear the doorway.

“Don’t go. I’m sorry.”

She whirled. “Why have you been avoiding me, then?”

I exhaled a tight breath. “What do you want me to say?”

“How about the truth, Cristian? God, why is it always so hard for you to be honest?”

“Because I’m not a good man,” I burst out, grabbing her by the shoulders. “Haven’t you been listening to me all this time?”

She shook her head. “That’s not true. You rescued me when I got into trouble at Galeries, you came over the night of the gala …”

“Smoke and mirrors, sweetheart. Sooner or later, you’ll find out the truth about me.” And when you do, you’ll hate me as much as Gabriel does. I released her, putting as much distance between us as possible without leaving the room. “You should go, Juliet. Go and be happy with Gabriel. I have nothing more to offer you.”

Nothing besides more lies.

Turning my back to her, I propped a hand against one wood-paneled wall, taking in slow breaths and listening for the sound of the door closing. But when it didn’t come even after several seconds, I glanced over my shoulder to find her still standing there.

“So that’s what this is about.” She closed the gap between us, blocking any means of escape that wouldn’t involve me manhandling her. “Let me guess—you thought as soon as I made up with Gabriel, I would ditch you, right? That I was only using you as a stand-in?” When I didn’t answer, she nodded as if confirming the answer to her question.

“For the record, we did make up,” she said, her voice softening. “Gabriel’s my boyfriend now, but you’re still my friend, Cristian—that is, if you want to be. I told you before, you’re nobody’s replacement. So take up your own space, all right?”

I shook my head, my throat thickening. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Don’t you think I should be the judge of that?” She rested a hand on my biceps, a tiny smile sliding over her features. Then, slowly, she wrapped her arms around me in a gentle embrace, and I cracked completely, folding over her and dragging her against me.

She sucked in a breath. “Cristian—”

“Just for a minute.” I said, swallowing. “One minute, and then I’ll let you go.”

She hesitated a beat, then softened in my arms, sweeping a hand over my shoulder blades in a gesture that soothed an ache so deep, my eyes burned.

To be wanted, to be chosen—my most desperate desire and my secret shame.

I drew back from her, the warmth of her smile shifting something in my chest. Juliet—my friend and the most genuine person I’d ever met. I would never be worthy of her, but I would bask in her light for as long as she would let me.

“So, what’s a girl got to do to get a tour around here? I’d love to see the restaurant before we come to opening night in a few weeks.”

I froze, a cold shard sliding down my spine.

Shit. I had forgotten all about asking her to come to the opening with Gabriel.

“Um, about that, I don’t think you should come to opening night after all.”

She frowned. “Why not?”

Goddammit. I didn’t want to lie to her again, but what choice did I have?

“It’s going to be a frenzy, you know? I won’t even have a chance to talk to you. Maybe you could come on a different night? Just let me know when and I’ll set it up. VIP table, the works.” Her eyes bounced between each of mine, her brows pulling together. “I promise, I’ll make it up to you.”

She studied me, then rolled her eyes, and I let go of an involuntary breath. “All right, but I want free dessert.”

“Anything you want.” I grinned. “Now, you said something about a tour?” I offered her my arm, and she laughed, winding her hand around my elbow.

“Lead the way.”

Thirty-Seven

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