Page 87 of Holy Hearts
I groan. “I do. But maybe?—”
Julian waves me off. “Go on, then. Your tea’s getting cold. I’ll make us dinner, okay?”
My lips quirk to the side. “Okay. I love you.”
He winks, looking a hundred times more relaxed now that we talked. “I love you more, Soph.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE HESITATION
Julian
Sipping my whiskey, I keep my eyes focused on my phone. I’ve been debating how to message Kai for nearly two days, dragging my feet and waiting for inspiration to strike. Of course I’m overthinking everything, and the fact thathehasn’t reached out only heightens the insecurity I feel around him.
He’s the only person I second-guess myself around. It feels so similar to when I met and fell for Sophie. The waiting games. The secret, furtive glances. The second-guessing.Does she like me as much as I like her?
And now, with Kai…
It feels like I’m dating all over again.
An incoming email from a client distracts me immediately, and I swipe over, reading quickly.
I hardly notice another man slip into the seat next to me. I continue skimming the email from a client, quickly replying about an issue we’d run into with shipping an expensive art piece abroad, when the man clears his throat.
I look over at him, narrowing my eyes, and then a smile slowly lifts the corner of my mouth.
What are the chances that I’d run into Kai’s brother tonight of all nights, as I’m in turmoil over how to reach out?
“Orion Ravage,” I say, holding my hand out. I recognize him from briefly saying hello to him at our housewarming party.
“The infamous Julian Ashford,” he says, smirking as he shakes my hand. “Nice to see you again. At my bar, of all places.”
I look around the dark, art deco space as my eyebrows shoot up. “This is your place? Nice job, mate.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
I laugh as he takes a seat next to me. “Sorry, it’s just, before the party, the last time I saw you I think you were… twelve? Thirteen?”
Orion chuckles. “Something like that.”
He orders sparkling water, and I can’t help but think of how he—and all the Ravage brothers—remind me so much of Kai. It’s their mannerisms, their intense personas… their good looks. Being a bisexual man, I’ve definitely noticed the latter.
“So,” Orion says after taking a sip. “Can I ask you something? It’s been bothering me for years.”
I finish my whiskey and gesture to the bartender for another. “It depends,” I say, teasingly.
He narrows his eyes as he thinks through what he wants to say. Finally, he turns to face me fully, and his expression is open and curious.
“Whatever happened between you and Kai? One day you were thick as thieves, and the next…” He trails off and shrugs.
What happened?
The memory sits there, dusty but sharp. The feel of Kai’s hands gripping my shirt so tightly, the soft graze of his lips—God, I was young enough to think I could stop it from meaning something.
And I was wrong.
I take a deep breath before setting my glass down, tapping my wedding band against the glass. The whiskey feels like it’s burning a hole in my chest, and as the bartender sets another tumbler in front of me, I think of what to say to Kai’s brother. His question is direct, sure, but I know he’s not trying to be rude. There’s no malice in his tone.
