Page 13 of Worth the Heat
“While not planned, I’m not mad about it,” Stone says huskily as he stares at Arianna. “How about we push two tables together and we all have dinner? Then we can go our separate ways.”
“Oh, what a great idea!” Kate gushes, jumping up from the booth. Dom puts an arm around her waist, tugging her into his side.
“Move,” Arianna whispers as she nudges my side. “I want to get to my husband.”
Slowly standing, I’m acutely aware of how blissful my siblings are with their spouses, and I feel like crying. Regardless of whether this was a setup or not, I don’t think I can sit and watch three happy couples throughout dinner. “I’m suddenly not feeling well. I’m going to go.”
I don’t wait for anyone to speak as I dart out of the restaurant.I hate this. I hate feeling inferior. I don’t want to be jealous of what Hannah, Kate, and Arianna all have, but I am. They have husbands who adore them. They’ve done the stupid crossing the threshold test that everyone failed until they found ‘the one,’ and I can’t even get a guy to stay monogamous.
Tears fill my eyes as I root around in my bag for my car keys. I keep my head low as I head into the parking lot, hoping I don’t run into anyone I know. I hate how often my family is featured onThe Eagle Has Landed. It was supposed to be a town website touting all the amazing things Eternity Springs has to offer, yet somehow morphed into a TMZ-type site that enjoys breaking news and rumors, whether they’re true or not.
Now they’re talking aboutme, linking me to Sebastian, and referencing a grudge? What do they know? Is it only about what I did to Rick’s apartment, or is there something else?
I squeal when a hand grabs my elbow and spins me around, and I’m so surprised that I don’t bother trying to wipe the tears away. I should have known Sebastian would be the one they sent after me. This absolutely was a setup.
“Go back inside,” I tell him, attempting to turn away, but his hand is locked around my elbow. “I just don’t feel well. There’s a stomach bug going around, and I think I might have it. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” he says softly. His deep brown eyes search mine. “Why are you crying?”
“Allergies,” I lie.
His lips twitch as he studies me. I hate how I feel like he’s seeing into my soul, slowly dissecting the most intimate parts of my heart. “I’ve heard those six o’clock in the evening allergies are brutal.”
“Uh-huh. They are.” I’m about to wrench my arm out of his grip when he slowly brings a hand up to my cheek, cupping my head, and wipes one tear off with his thumb. I can smell theleather from his black leather MC cut, and the scent mixed with his cologne is intoxicating.
“Tell me why you were crying,” he commands. My hands come up to push him away, but somehow land on his chest, holding the sides of his cut. Sebastian’s breath whooshes out in an audible exhale as his other arm wraps around my waist. Butterflies erupt in my stomach. He’s holding me. He’s literally cradling me in his arms, like I’m the most precious cargo in the world. And suddenly, I’m so overcome that my eyes close and the words fly out of my mouth.
“I can’t sit there and watch them all be happy. I just got out of a relationship, and while I didn’t necessarily think Rick was my forever, it still hurts to be cheated on. To know you’re not enough. And I’m not truly jealous of my siblings, but I am actually envious of their happiness. Why do they all have to be so adorable with each other? Couldn’t one of them develop gout, or a hunchback? Or lose the ability to communicate. Something that makes them more realistic. Five years ago we were all single, and now everyone is married with kids, and honestly, it’s just not fair.” When Sebastian doesn’t respond, I open my eyes to find him smiling widely at me. Good God. He’s even more attractive with that smile.
“I bet it feels better now, to get all of that out.”
Huh. I do feel a sense of relief. “It might.”
“Does anyone in your family know how you really feel about … anything?” he asks, his hand still holding my cheek. It should feel weird, but it doesn’t? I don’t know how to process that.
“How I feel about anything? Yes, they know how I feel about some things.”
“But I bet you placate them often. You’d rather toe the line than rock the boat,” he surmises.
“I don’t like to fight,” I whisper. I’m not a very argumentativeperson. In fact, the only person I seem to find it easy to argue with is the one standing right in front of me.
“You argue with me,” he says, reading my thoughts. “And before you say anything, just know that I like getting the real you, Isabella. I’ll argue with you anytime.”
“Um, Isabella? Hi,” a voice says from behind me. Sebastian’s hand drops. I turn to find Amelia staring at me awkwardly, and I’m surprised to find how much I miss his hand on my cheek. She looks perfect, like always, in a sundress and sandals. Her blond locks are swept up in a messy updo, one that I have no doubt she spent at least fifteen minutes constructing so it appeared like she didn’t spend a moment on it. “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I answer, equally as uncomfortably.
“I recognize you. What’s your name again?” she asks, eyebrows raised as she stares at Sebastian. I see the interest in her eyes, and I’m suddenly pissed.
“Why? You gonna sleep with him too?” I blurt out. I feel angrier about her interest in Sebastian than I ever did about Rick. What does that mean? I have a quick epiphany where I flashback to every relationship — or almost romance — in my adult life. Amelia was always involved. Either she convinced me to break up with the guy, or she’d flirt outrageously with the guy to ‘prove’ to me that they weren’t worth my time. I wonder if Rick was the first guy of mine she slept with.
Amelia’s eyes go wide. “No, I mean — is this a new boyfriend? I don’t want to sleep with him, I swear. I’m glad you’ve moved on and you’re happy.”
“I moved on?” I repeat. “What an interesting way to say that you fucked my boyfriend. Honestly, I didn’t realize you had a thing for sloppy seconds.”
I hear Sebastian snort as Amelia chokes. “I’m sorry — I just —”
Sebastian interrupts her. “You should walk away now, Amber.My girl is just getting started, and you don’t want to be the target.”
