Page 20 of His Red Carnation

Sloane

I was going to be petty, and I didn’t care. It wasn’t like me, but Callan had me doing and saying things that were so out of character. I needed to show him I was worth the fight. And if that meant going out with another guy to make him jealous, then so be it.

I texted my mom that night as I lay in bed, crying off and on, feeling sorry for myself. I wanted so badly to text Callan, but I couldn’t give in. If he wanted to talk, he could text me first.

Hey Mom. Who was that guy you said I’d like? The son of that one guy?

I had half paid attention when she’d mentioned some twenty-year-old she thought was adorable. Apparently, they met at a dinner, and she was impressed enough to get his number for me. She was always trying to play matchmaker, much to Dad’s dismay.

James Miller? Mayor Miller’s son?

I rolled my eyes, sighing. I didn’t want this James guy—I wanted Callan.

I guess? What was his number again?I wondered how suspicious I sounded, trying to get a guy’s number while my parents were out of town. Mom was pretty open-minded, though.

She texted back the number, then added:Please be careful. Let Callan know where you’ll be.

I laughed to myself. How ironic.Thanks, Mom.

I copied and pasted his number, sending a quick text.Hey. This is Sloane. Embarrassingly, I got your number from my mom.

Setting my phone down, I grabbed my laptop off the end table, wondering what Callan was doing. My phone vibrated only a minute later.

Hey Sloane. I’m glad to hear from you. I didn’t think I would, haha. What’s going on?

I sighed, texting back.Not much. Where do you live again?

I needed to be persistent if I was going to make Callan jealous.I’m off-campus at Georgetown. Wanna hang out or something?

I smiled, feeling like my plan was working. Glancing at my phone, I noticed it was 8:07 p.m.—not too late for dinner.Yeah. Meet for dinner?

He replied almost instantly.Yeah, that would be cool. I know a good place downtown. I’ll text you the address. Meet around 9?

I was already dreading it.Sounds good. See you then.

* * *

I slipped into my most flattering dress—a yellow silk mini that hugged my curves and showed off my best assets. Chunky heels and bold red lipstick completed the look. As I walked into the hall, I glanced around, hoping to spot Callan. The rain had stopped a couple of hours ago, but the sticky heat lingered in the air, even indoors.

“Sloane.” Callan’s voice came from behind me.

I turned, and there he was, leaning against the hall, his eyes roaming over me. He took me all in, and the ache of wanting him flared up inside me. But apparently, he didn’t want me enough.

“Where are you going?” His gaze dipped briefly to my cleavage before he shoved his hands into his pockets.

“I forgot I had a thing tonight. A dinner thing.” It wasn’t a lie, but I wasn’t exactly telling him the whole truth either.

“What dinner thing? With who?” he pressed, stepping closer, his expression shifting to something serious, almost concerned.

“You don’t want to know,” I muttered, turning on my heel to walk away.

“Sloane.” He grabbed my arm and spun me around.

My heart raced, desire surging hot and fast. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I stared at him, every nerve in my body screaming for him to throw me into my bedroom and fuck me senseless.

“I promise you don’t want to know,” I whispered, Callan’s face only inches from mine as he hovered above me.

His expression flickered between anger and concern. “Tell me.”

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