Page 59 of Kiss Me Ever After
Justin stood at the front of our VIP area, his gaze scanning the crowd. When he spotted me, he waved, then stopped, hand hanging in mid-air as he realised who I was with.
“Candace.” His tone gave nothing away, even when he clocked her bump.
“Justin! I’m so pleased to see you.” She released my arm and greeted him with a kiss to each cheek. “When I bumped into Lennon in the bathroom, I just knew you had to be here.”
“It’s Amber’s birthday,” he said, somewhat redundantly.
“Fabulous! Now there can be double celebrations.” Candace turned to me and flashed a conspiratorial smile. “I’m sure I can have a tiny sip of bubbles.”
Justin wrinkled his nose. “Celebrations? What are you talking about?”
Candace rested her hands on her stomach. “I’m pregnant, Justin, and the baby’s yours.”
Glad I’d already heard the news once; it didn’t hit so hard the second time around. Justin, hearing it for the first time, paled.
“H-how is that possible?” he stammered.
She cocked her head. “Surely I don’t need to give you a lesson in the birds and the bees, do I, Justin? I’m sure you and Lennon have been practicing this summer.”
His gaze swung between us, not another word coming from his lips.
I swallowed. “Justin? It’s not true, right?”
“Five months,” Candace interjected. “In case you wanted to know.”
My knees turned to jelly. If she was that far along, it was entirely possible Justinwasthe father. I hadn’t arrived in Ealynn Sands until almost three months ago, and they had been together before then.
My entire new world crumbled in front of me.
“But we were always careful. You were on the pill, I used condoms,” Justin protested.
“Accidents happen.” Candace shrugged. “But this is a happy accident, right?”
“I-I…” Justin’s eyes met mine, concern and confusion shadowed in the honey brown depths.
In that moment, everything I thought about the two of us caved in like a house of cards.
“Amber?” I called to my best friend. “I need to go home. Would you come with me?”
She tore herself away from Curtis. “It’s my birthday, Lennon! Why would you want to leave early?”
“I’m not feeling well.” If Candace could lie, so could I.
“Can’t Justin take you?”
“I don’t think so. He’s busy.”
Without another word to anyone, I turned away from the group and stalked out of the club before anyone could see me crying.
27
Justin
Candace placeda hand on my arm, but I swatted her away. “I thought she’d take it better,” she murmured.
Lennon’s shape disappeared into the crowd, and I wanted to run after her.
Wanted to tell her whatever Candace had said was made up. Lies. None of it true.
