Page 21 of Sinful Promise

I’m just finishing reading an email from our liquor supplier with a quote on a new brand of bourbon when I catch the sound of Emily’s laughter.

I’m like a moth to a flame with that sound.

My head snaps up, and I spot her standing outside the library with a couple of girls from her course who I’ve seen her hanging around with before.

She’s wearing a pale blue summer dress, with her blonde hair loose around her shoulders. It almost glows in the sunlight, and my breath catches at how stunning she looks.

For a minute, I forget I’m meant to be shielding myself from view as I become mesmerized by her.

Emily Mullens truly is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

When she waves goodbye to her friends, I hastily lower my head and go back to pretending to scroll on my phone as she strolls over to the grassy quad to take a seat in a shady spot beneath a tree.

My lips twitch when I catch her pulling out her book and a sandwich because I know she’ll get so lost in her book that she’ll forget to eat entirely.

I’m tempted to send her a text reminding her to eat because I know it will bring a smile to her face. And there’s nothing I love more than making Emily smile.

But I can’t risk drawing attention to myself.

If she realized I was here, it would all be over.

If I value my friendship with Emily, then I need to keep my head down and my mouth shut, while silently promising her to do everything in my power to make sure that no one will ever hurt her.

6

EMILY

I hate being late.

I especially hate being late to a lunch thatIorganized.

Granted, it’s with Danil, so I know he won’t mind, but still.

Summer is almost in full swing in New York and despite wearing a cotton sundress, I’m still sweating buckets after practically running from my lecture hall to the café where Danil and I have our weekly lunches.

I slump down into the seat opposite him and reach for a glass of water.

He smirks. “You’re freaking out about being late, aren’t you?”

As usual, he’s wearing his all-black ensemble that makes him look incredibly sexy, which only makes me more aware of the fact that I’m a sweaty mess.

“No,” I lie, which causes him to chuckle.

The deep rumble of his laugh sends a shiver up my spine.

I down my glass in one go. “Okay, fine, a little.”

“It’s okay, Emily.” He picks up the menu.

I don’t know why he’s bothering to read it. He always has the same thing—a club sandwich with extra bacon and a side of pickles.

“My lecture ran over because some girl got into an argument with the professor over some stupid economic principle that we’re not even going to be tested on, so it was a complete waste of everyone’s time and…” she frowns. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Danil’s peering up at me over the top of his menu, wearing that sexy little smirk on his face.

I wonder if he has any idea that all the waitresses that work in this place have a huge crush on him. I don’t miss the way they all glance in his direction, and only ever pay him attention when they come over to our table.

It’s annoying, but also, who can blame them?

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