Page 101 of Her Ruin

He gave a slow nod, his expression softening ever so slightly. “All right, Isla. But…I’m so surprised at you.” He reached for his wine. “I mean, after the way he treated you after the gala? I never thought you’d speak his name again, for you to be in a relationship…”

Every part of me wanted to justify it, yet the truth shimmered in the back of my mind. It was never a relationship no matter how much I had been starting to believe it was.

Julian’s eyes narrowed as he watched me. “It’s not like you,” he muttered, more to himself than to me.

I forced a laugh, trying to brush off the tension. “Trust me, I know that better than anyone.” I needed to change the focus.

When we left the club, Julian had pulled me close, whispering to me to play along. Anyone watching would think we were lovers the way he held me tight. It would have taken me more by surprise had I been more myself, but now that I was desperately avoiding talking about my confrontation with Zayn tonight, I raised it.

“So, what was that when we left Elixir?” My wine was finished, so I set my glass down. Julian tensed for a moment, but he forgot I knew him so well. “I think we need to agree there are no more secrets,” I added softly.

“You say it was a casual thing,” he said, looking at his hands. “But...” He looked up. “It could look like more to anyone who was watching Zayn,” he added gently. “Men like Zayn aren’t always walking on the right side of the law.” Julian shifted nervously. “He has enemies, Isla. Bad ones. They would be happy to know he has a weakness.”

“I’m a weakness?”

“We looked like we were the ones together,” he corrected me quickly. “You don’t need to worry.”

I wasn’t worried. I was…thrilled. Hecaredfor me? He wanted to protect me?

“This isn’t the romantic thing you think it is,” Julian scolded, also knowing me too well. “He has to make someone else pretend to be your boyfriend to take attentionoffof you. It’s hardly the same as candy and roses,” he snapped.

But…wasn’t it? For Zayn, that was almost…a declaration.

“I know.” I didn’t look at him though, knowing he would see right through me.

Julian sighed. “Ugh, I hate this,” he grumbled. “Okay. Tell me everything.”

Thatmade me look up. “What?”

Julian rolled his eyes. “I’ve heard every breakup story before.” He rubbed his forehead. “I’m really going to resent this one, but I know you need to share to get it out of your system. So, as your best friend, tell me.”

“You missed the opening of The Grand.”

The tension in his body vanished as he looked at me with guilt. “I know, I’m sorry. I really am.”

“I had sex with Zayn in a conference room.”

Julian’s mouth dropped open. He tried to speak, and I started to giggle as I watched him gape at me like a fish out of water. “How?” he eventually spluttered.

“Um…his part fits into my part.” I paused. “Really, really well.”

Julian slapped his hand over his mouth as he pretended to barf. “No, no, no.No!” He was on his feet, grabbing the wine bottle and pouring a healthy glass. “Fuck. I have…images.” He drank as if he was in pain.

It was such a childish reaction. It broke the tension, and I burst out laughing until I cried. Then, I was wiping tears away for a whole different reason. Julian wrapped me in his arms, my head on his chest, his chin resting on top of my head.

“Aww, Isla,” he scolded lightly. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I knew he wasn’t…good,” I confessed miserably. “But what I saw tonight…” I squeezed my eyes tight. “It was all so…filthy.”

Julian snorted. “Rye took you to the VIP booths?”

“Yeah,” I whispered.

“How many?”

“All of them.”

Julian pushed me away, looking down at me with a “for real” expression. When I nodded, he pulled me close again. “I’m sorry. That’s a lot.”

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