Page 83 of Sinful Promise

It’s one of those places that if you didn’t know it was there, you’d walk straight past it, but it sells great whiskey, and there’s usually live music there too, which makes for a great atmosphere.

It’s the perfect place to drown my sorrows and to forget about how fucked up my relationship with Emily is.

Luca and I manage to find a high table which is far enough away from the stage where an acoustic duo is currently playing so that we can actually have a conversation without shouting at each other.

My friend chuckles as I practically snatch my double whiskey off the poor waitress’s tray as she comes by to drop off our drinks.

He smirks after the waitress leaves. “Girl trouble? Or more specifically, Emily, trouble?”

I take the drink and down it in one gulp, which is enough of an answer for Luca.

“Oh shit, what did you do?”

“I fucked up. Big time.”

Luca scoffs. “Nothing is unfixable. If she’s worth fighting for, you’ll find a way.”

“It’s not that simple.” I reach across the table and snatch Luca’s drink out of his hand.

“Shit, it must be bad. Whatdidyou do?”

I down Luca’s drink and wipe my mouth on the back of my hand.

“I kissed Emily.”

Luca’s eyes widen, but he keeps his mouth shut, for once.

“And then she found out I was lying about something, and now she hates me.”

“Well, did the kiss mean anything?”

It meanteverything.

But I don’t tell Luca that, so I just nod.

“Then, there’s your answer!”

“I don’t follow.”

Luca rolls his eyes, and I bite back a retort.

Since when do I come to Luca, of all people, for relationship advice?

I must be seriously desperate.

“You need to show her itmeantsomething. She’s probably feeling vulnerable or some shit, wondering what’s real and what isn’t, and you need to clear that up for her. You know what girls are like… They always want to talk about feelings and shit, so that’s what you need to do.”

I’m honestly taken aback.

He shrugs. “Either that or she’s just waiting for you to fuck her brains out and is playing hard to get.”

And we’re back to normal.

Luca waves down a waitress to order us another round. “Anyway, enough about Emily. Let’s just enjoy the music and just chill.”

That’s easier said than done.

It seems no matter how much I drink, I can’t seem to get Emily Mullens out of my head.

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