Page 192 of The Bittersweet Bond

Dominic had made his stance clear, but the tension in the air didn’t just dissolve. Bas crossed his arms, his gaze subtly drifting toward Evin. She stood slightly apart, shoulders raised as if trying to shield herself from the world's eyes.And yet, her own—those dark, expressive eyes—told a different story.

It was as if she was challenging him, even without saying a word. Maybe because she wasn’t saying anything.

“Dominic, could you cut the unnecessary comments?” Chris’ voice sliced through the thick atmosphere.

Bellamy, returning with a steaming coffee in hand, smirked. “I leave for a couple of minutes, and you guys immediately stir up drama? Without me? Seriously?”

Bas let out a short chuckle, but his focus remained elsewhere. Evin had moved closer, though she positioned herself on the opposite side of Milka. The distance between them felt greater than it actually was.

“So, what’s this about?” Bellamy asked, waving his cup slightly.

“The party tomorrow,” Chris said casually. “Whether the girls are coming or not.”

Milka shot Dominic a pointed look. “I guess that depends on whether someone decides to uninvite us again.”

Dominic rolled his eyes. “You were never invited.”

Bas exhaled sharply, turning to him. “Let it go, Dom. You already invited half the city. A few more people won’t make a difference.”

Evin barely reacted, but Bas caught the way a cool smile curled at the corner of her lips—the kind she wore when she was trying to mask something deeper.

“That’s sweet of you, thanks,” she said, her voice quiet but laced with something sharp. “But I don’t need an invitation to a party where I’m not wanted.”

A slight crackle of energy passed between them. Bas could feel the unspoken tension lingering, the way the others held their breath, waiting for his reaction.

“So, one more time—are you guys coming or not?” Bellamy asked, pulling the attention back to himself.

Milka grinned, glancing at Evin before turning back to Bellamy. “Can’t promise anything, but there is a chance we’ll drop by.”

“That’s a yes, Dom. Two more people on your guest list,” Chris announced before Dominic could argue.

Bas said nothing. He simply watched as Evin followed Milka, her hair catching the evening breeze. She looked beautiful.

He let out a deep breath, lost in thought.

The group of guys naturally started walking in the same direction as the girls, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Milka had texted Bellamy earlier, casually mentioning they’d be walking along the promenade—an unsubtle hint that Bas had needed.

Bellamy had barely stepped beside him when Bas murmured, “I’ll be right back.”

He didn’t wait for a reaction, leaving behind Chris’ and Bellamy’s confused glances, while Dominic’s head shake was nothing more than a blurred afterthought.

His mind was already on Evin.

He caught up to her quickly.

“Evin.”

She turned halfway, her expression unreadable, but something in her tone set him on edge. “Bas.” Short. Dismissive.

He walked beside her, adjusting his pace to match hers without looking directly at her. The ocean waves and the soft glow of the string lights along the promenade painted a peaceful backdrop, one that starkly contrasted the tension still hanging in the air.

Hands buried in the pockets of his hoodie, he searched for the right words. Something about being near her always made him restless, threw him off balance—even if he’d never let it show.

“So,” he finally said, his voice calm but pointed. “Rafael told Dominic you might come.” It was somewhere between a question and a statement.

Evin looked briefly caught off guard. “He figured I could use a distraction.” Her response was casual.

A short, humorless chuckle escaped him, more frustration than amusement. “A distraction, huh?” He tilted his head slightly, his gaze searching hers, though she refused to meet his eyes. “Is that so?”

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