Page 20 of Always Been You
“Yeah,” Aria mumbles, her voice heavy with something unspoken.
“What is it?” I ask, looking at her directly now. I’ve been so out of touch lately, too wrapped up in my personal mess to pay attention to anything happening at work. A sinking feeling settles in my chest. I’m starting to regret letting Derrick and all his drama derail me. Never again, I promise myself. Never again will I let a man have that kind of control over me.
“There’s nothing here for such a massive company like that to put down roots,” Aria finally says, crossing her arms. “I also heard they’re trying to get into textiles.”
“Well, that would be the only reason to set up here,” I mutter, trying to piece it all together.
Dash returns before I can dig any deeper. This time, he slides in beside Elisa, his earlier grin back in full force. “What’d I miss?”
“M Industries,” Elisa blurts out immediately.
“Ugh, don’t start fishing for information, Lis,” Dash says, giving her forehead a playful shove when she leans toward him like she’s interrogating him.
Elisa taps my shoulder and gestures for me to switch seats. I sigh, but I do as she asks, swapping places and plopping down beside Dash.
“What now?” he asks, quirking a brow at me.
I don’t answer immediately. Instead, I lean in, narrowing my eyes dramatically. Then I press a hand to his chest, letting my voice drop to a mock whisper.
“My husband cheated on me with his secretary,” I say, dragging my words out as if confessing some deep, terrible truth. Strangely, saying that no longer hurts.
Dash laughs loudly, swatting my hand away, but I keep up the act, caressing his chest with exaggerated coyness. Lauren giggles behind me, and I shoot her a mock warning glance—only to freeze.
The feeling comes first. That prickle of awareness, like someone’s gaze cutting through the air to land squarely on me. Slowly, I glance past Lauren.
And there he is.
Piercing blue eyes lock onto mine, sharp enough to pin me in place. His stride is confident and purposeful as he heads straight for our booth.
“Oh no,” Dash whispers beside me, his voice suddenly low and tense. But I barely hear him. My focus is on the man coming toward us.
It can’t be.
But it is.
Chapter Ten
Eddie
We arrived in Louisville a week ago. I’ve been keeping busy, working more than usual for a smooth transition of my plan. My main purpose of returning is to set my revenge plan in motion, something I’ve been planning since the day I fled. Josh, however, has other plans; he’s been harassing me to get out ever since.
Every corner of this city seems determined to remind me of the life I left behind. From the saloon at Hillview to the restaurant hidden in Lyndon, each place holds memories I thought I’d buried. It’s like this place refuses to let me forget.
“Why do we have to go out again?” I sigh, leaning back against the passenger seat. Josh shoots me a look as he parks, his grin annoyingly persistent.
“Because you’ve been overworking since we got here, and I’m tired of watching you bury yourself in work. Come on, Eddie; you’ve got to live a little,” he says, trying to sound upbeat but failing to mask the edge in his voice.
The engine shuts off, but I don’t move. My gaze lingers on the building in front of us. The long queue of people waiting to get in stands out against the night sky.
The place used to mean something… used to be something. Back then, it was a proud branch of my parents’ business, all polished steel and clean lines. Lawliss, Aria, and I used to come here so often that I’ve lost count. Now, it’s just another bar. Another escape for people trying to do who knows what. I don’t hate bars. In fact, I love them. Once upon a time, that was where you would find me but seeing this place, I’m not sure which I hate more: that it’s changed or that I bought it anyway.
“I still don’t see why we need to come here of all places,” I mutter, pushing the car door open reluctantly.
Josh snickers, “You mean the place you paid a ridiculous amount for but haven’t seen in years? Yeah, that place.” He claps me on the shoulder as we walk. “Seriously, man, when’s the last time you had a night out? Just one drink, I promise.”
“Sure, one drink.” I groan but follow him inside.
The air feels different here, heavier somehow. The bar’s interior is a far cry from what it used to be, but in a way that commands attention. Sleek, marble counters now replace the polished steel of my parents’ era, gleaming under the warm glow of custom pendant lights. Soft, ambient lighting dances across the room, reflected in the crystal-clear glasses lining the shelves.
