Page 84 of Holy Hearts
The bookstore.
This Friday.
Thatis exciting, and I can’t wait to tell Julian.
Walking into the kitchen, I start my tea. I’m just stacking biscuits on the rim of my mug when he saunters into the kitchen, looking fresh and showered from his time at the gym.
“Hi!” I tell him, setting my mug and biscuits down as I bounce from foot to foot. “You’ll never guess who called me! Well, besides my mum, and that conversation went about as well as a fox in a henhouse.”
His eyes slowly lift to mine, and my smile drops off my face. He seems distracted.
And…guilty.
“Who?” he asks, standing on the other side of the kitchen. “I mean, besides your mum, who I’m sure still believes you seduced me into abandoning centuries of noble lineage for overpriced avocado toast and sunshine.”
I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. He always comes over and gives me a kiss, no matter what. So why is he still all the way on the other side of the kitchen?
My brows knit together as I shake my head. “Oh, it was just—” I pause, wanting to make sure he’s okay first. “Is everything all right?”
He smiles, but it doesn’t meet his eyes. “Yes, everything’s fine. What were you going to tell me?”
As if a spark reignites the energy inside of me, I bounce as I clap my hands once. “The letting agency for that retail space in town. They’ve offered to show it to me, and they asked for paperwork… that’s a good sign, right?”
His smile widens. “That’s fantastic news, Soph.”
“I mean, now I have toactuallyfile for a business license, show proof of funds, get insurance, and proposals for renovations… all before Friday…”
He arches a brow. “How much do you need?”
I hold a hand up. “I don’t need anything. I have an idea for fundraising.”
His face softens. “Okay. But you know I’m always willing to help you, right?”
Walking over to him, I wrap my arms around his neck. “I know. But I have to do this on my own.”
“I understand,” he murmurs, placing his hands on my arms and kissing the inside of my elbow with a delicate kiss. “Can I help with anything?”
“I don’t think so. It’ll be a busy five days, though.” Pulling my head back a bit, I study his expression, which still seems off. My eyes flick between his bright blue ones, trying to decipher why he seems to be in a funk. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
He doesn’t immediately say yes, and my skin prickles. Pulling away slowly, I look up at his face.
“Julian?” I ask when he doesn’t answer.
“I don’t know,” he says, his voice thick. “I feel like I’m fraying at the seams,” he says, running a hand down his face.
“How so?” I ask, titling my head and reaching out for one of his hands. When I begin massaging it, he groans and lets his head fall back.
“I saw Kai at the gym.”
I pause my ministrations. “Oh? How is he?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood.
“We sort of got into an argument… or… I don’t even know what happened, to be honest.”
The prickling feeling works down my spine as I process his words. Or lack thereof. I’d have to be blind not to see the way my husband looks at Kai, or the way Kai looks back at him. Their history is long and complicated—and I know the kiss they shared years ago didn’t help matters last night.
I knew that Julian was provoking him last night in nearly every instance, trying to establish his dominance. He’d neverdone that before when I’d been with another man, so I was just as surprised as Kai.
“What sort of argument?” I ask Julian, my voice steady, though my heart races with the possibilities unfolding before me. I drop his hand and take a step back, sensing the seriousness in his expression.
