Page 227 of The Invite
“Can we talk?” His gaze cuts to Maverick. “Privately?”
I nod. “We can go upstairs.”
“Oh no,” jumps in Maverick. “I’ll make myself scarce. Chat right here.”
Bending down, he picks up the plates and leaves the room.
“Are you really with Augustus?” Ace demands as soon as we’re alone.
I meet his stare head-on, daring him to judge me. “I am. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did. If you’re here to tell me it’s wrong or I’m making a mistake, then you may as well leave now.”
I’m done with the judgement of the world. It never stands for what’s important. I’m going to tell Augustus the truth when the time is right and fight for him.
For us.
“He’s a complicated man, Nessa,” warns Ace, coming closer. “Are you sure about him?”
I was wrong. Augustus isn’t a heartless monster. It’s those people who parade around as sweet and fool the world. The ones who mask the evil that resides in them.
My Augustus has never hidden who he is.
He’s shown me his darkness, his violence, and his corrupt black heart.
Instead of using them to break me, he’s made me whole.
“He’s complicated, but he’s mine,” I tell Ace.
Pocketing his hands, he smiles softly, and teases, “Are we still going to be friends?”
“Why wouldn’t we be?”
“Men are possessive, Nessa.” Chuckling, he says, “And we don’t believe in guy friends.”
“Oh.”
“I have a feeling you’ll always choose him.”
He’s right. Still, a pang hits my chest at ending my friendship with Ace. I refuse to do that. “We’re not going to stop being friends, Ace.”
His mouth twitches at my fierceness. “Then you may wanna start returning my texts.”
I laugh. “A lot is going on.”
“You know you’re welcome to stay at my place if you need to.”
A snicker sounds from the open doorway of the living room, which Maverick covers up as a cough before diving behind the wall. Of course he’s eavesdropping.
“The offer stands, Nessa,” Ace says, loud enough for Maverick to hear. Then in a low tone, asks, “Why is he here?”
“Giving me company.”
“Next time, call me.” Squeezing my hand, he turns to leave. “School starts on Monday. I’ll see you then.”
“Good night, Mr. Melrose,” Maverick utters as Ace walks past him. The moment the front door shuts, he whips to face me. “He wants in your pants.”
“Who? Ace?” My face scrunches. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Oh, he wants you bad.”
