Page 46 of Chandelier Enthralled
I was surprised at his effort to comfort me. “He broke my heart.”
“Sometimes things don’t work out because they’re not meant to. Hugo’s the one who lost someone special.”
“You don’t know me.”
“You’re Cameron’s sister,” he said, as though that made me special.
I met his gaze. “I want to be known for who I am, not for whose sister I happen to be.”
His expression softened. “Now and again, life takes a swipe at us. It’s your friends who’ll get you through.”
“Can we be friends?”
He gave me a look of quiet regret. The answer was written all over his face—no.Probably because my brother had given him a warning.
He reached out and slid a piece across the board to distract me. I turned my attention back to the chessboard, and then I unleashed a series of moves to exploit the weakened position of his king while his guard was down.
Greyson may have captured the queen but my willingness to sacrifice her was a strategy.
He studied the pieces, replaying my moves. “Impressive.”
“You, too.”
That made him smile, and then he turned serious. “You can either move through the world with bitterness or have a forgiving heart.” A surge of tumultuous emotions danced in his eyes.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” I asked. “Boyfriend?”
At first, he reacted with amusement, and then his expression turned pained.
I cringed at how insensitive my remark sounded. “Maybe you could tell me some fun places to visit?”
Cameron’s sudden presence in the kitchen doorway had us both turning to look at him.
“Greyson,” he said, “where’s the coffee? You know Atticus needs a gallon of the stuff in the morning.”
Greyson gave him a knowing look. “Your sister got hired at Pulse360.”
I stared at him, noting the way he’d said it and that look of concern he gave Cameron.
“I am aware.” Cameron’s eyes scanned the chessboard as though looking for answers, as though he could somehow replay every single move between Greyson and me, but in reverse.
Then he came closer and gently took my arm. “Come on.” His insistent grip pulled me toward the kitchen door.
“I’m making muffins,” I said.
“I’ll order in. We all need breakfast.”
He meant his intriguing guests, and the reason for their visit was compelling.
I had always been this way, driven by a need to understand what was happening around me, how things worked, how everything fit together. It was much like my brother, who had a knack for mastering minds. Maybe he’d be open to revealing more about my hot new friend.
Glancing back, I saw that Greyson’s eyes were filled with sadness. I shot him a look, the unspoken promise that we’d talk again soon, explore his feelings. I needed to know more about Cameron’s mysterious guest.
But as we left, Greyson was dragging his fingers through his dark hair, his expression one of excruciating pain—as if he’d been holding in some quiet agony that he’d wanted to keep hidden from me.
“We were just playing chess,” I told Cameron.
He didn’t reply while he studied me, his eyes sharp and dark and knowing. He saw through me; saw through whatever flirtatious game I’d been playing in there. In the silence, I felt the truth between us—Cameron knew me better than I knew myself.
