Page 54 of Bittersweet Revenge

All the sorrow from before had escaped her when she talked about her father. The genuinely bright smile she usually sported was back in place. I’d known she loved her father. It was obvious, but I hadn’t known it ran that deep. He was her hero and that tightened my heart because I’d never had that, not even with Luke who I loved very deeply. I’d never really managed to lean on him, not with his alcohol problems and sorrow from losing my mother. I was the one who had stepped up much younger than I should have. Maybe it was why I was the way I was. Maybe not being able to rely on anyone made me too pragmatic.

I shook my head. “That’s lovely.”

She nodded, paying for her purchases, oblivious to my internal debate which I was grateful for.

We stopped at a clothes store where I indulged in a new oversized hoodie, much to her despair, before getting some coffees to go and meeting the guys in front of Oceanview.

“How was the shopping spree?” Archie asked, extending his hand to take my bags.

I shrugged. “It was okay.” I gave him my bags before looking into my handbag. “I’ve got some change for you–”

“Don’t insult me, Esme. Keep it.” He pointed at the store window. “I believe this is the cousin you mentioned?”

I looked up to see a glaring Alice. She was obviously not thrilled to have us here and I couldn’t blame her. Secret meetings in the back of her store were not something that the girl probably wanted.And you do?

I gave her a tentative smile. Her scowl softened a little, but her stance was still quite unwelcoming.

“Maybe we should have met somewhere else,” Antoine commented.

I shrugged. “It was the safest place. Let’s get this over with.”

I decided to play the friendly card as soon as we walked in to prevent my haughty brother from making even more of a mess of things.

“Hi, Alice. It’s very nice of you to let us use your–”

“He is waiting in the kitchenette in the back,” Alice interjected, cutting me off.

“Okay then…” Antoine muttered as we walked in a perfect line to the kitchen.

“Right on time.” I heard Ben’s voice, but Archie’s back was blocking my view.Stupid giant!

Antoine chuckled as we fanned out. “I feel like we’re in a James Bond movie. It’s so cool.” He grinned, cocking an eyebrow. “I’m quite dashing enough to be James Bond.”

Archie snorted, pointing at the bag Antoine was holding. “Not even in your dreams, French boy. You’re literally the goodies’ guy. You’re Q at best.”

“Q?” Antoine rested his hand on his heart. “How dare you? I dress way better and who would you be, Forbes? Bond himself?”

Archie looked smug, crossing his arms on his chest. “I’m tall, handsome, athletic, and with class. Obviously, I’m Bond!”

I rolled my eyes and dodged my brother when they started to argue about the European charm that Antoine had, but Archie was lacking.

I finally met Ben's dark orbs and his frown immediately changed into a beautiful smile.

“Hi, beautiful!” He opened his arms invitingly.

I stepped into his bone-crushing hug as he wrapped himself around me. I realized how much I’d changed. My heart still ached with longing, missing my friend and the life I had, but it was not the same. The crush… It wasn't there anymore.

“Are they always like that?” Ben asked once he let me go.

“So you’re the secondary love interest?” Archie asked.

Taylor chuckled at that. Archie beamed at her and she sobered straight away, pretending to look at the crochet blankets on the shelves.

“Yeah, and you’re the miserable SOB of a brother who used to make Esme suffer?”

Archie’s face paled before reddening with anger. “You listen–”

“And I’m the comic relief!” Antoine blurted, stepping in front of Archie.

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