Page 13 of Wild Ever After
Chapter Three
Every cell in her body knew he was close and hummed to life beneath her skin. Her blood heated at the sound of his voice. Her mind bent toward him. Her heart beat… again.
Missing him had been a daily mantra in her head. Loving him was imprinted on her soul. No amount of time or distance would change that.
But she hadn’t completely realized it, either. Not until she didn’t go back home. Not until he showed up to claim her.
“My apartment is on the other side of the city,” she said, fully aware that he’d know the exact location. She’d do anything to stall, to put off the inevitable.
“I remember. Is the neighborhood still primarily college students?”
“Yes.” It had been the apartment she used when she was in school. Harry had spent many nights there when they began dating, eventually moving in with her. “It’s turned into more of an artsy area, but it’s still nice.”
“Good. I guess you’re glad you kept it and that Riley didn’t want to live there.”
Bella nodded helplessly. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Really? Seems you had a pretty good handle on it in the Pub. Being alone with me was never a problem.”
“That was before.”
“I haven’t changed, Bella.”
“I have.”
He was the one who nodded helplessly this time. And he’d lied. He had changed.
She’d married a clean cut, outgoing political science major and for twenty-five years that was what he’d been. Clean cut. Polished. Elegant. Gracious. He could charm anyone on either side of the aisle.
Looking at him now? He wasn’t as smooth. He wasn’t as affable. He wasn’t as cocky, despite the fact he tried to be.
And that gave her pause.
“I have a room up the block.”
“The Indigo?”
“Yes.”
He smiled. “Lead the way.”
Those words were as foreign to her ears as they had to have been to his lips.
With hesitant steps, she started down the sidewalk. Every so often she’d glance over her shoulder. She didn’t know if she was making sure he was still there or expecting to find him gone.
When her relief set in a little more each time, she had her answer.
“Why are you walking behind me?”
“Admiring the view?” he answered without missing a beat.
Bella laughed. “You’ve never been quite so juvenile.”
“Oh, I think I have. Perhaps not with you.”
“Why not with me?”
“Because that was never the feeling I got with you.”
