Page 5 of A Trial of the Heart
The arch in Shiloh’s brow raised higher in disbelief. “Now, I know damn well your mother, auntie, sister, or hell, the candy lady down the street told you it is inappropriate to ask a ladyher age.” The soft-spoken woman that had articulated her words seemed to leave in a matter of seconds.
I couldn’t prevent the laughter. Shiloh was right. I had been taught not to ask a lady her age, but hell, it was 2023. I didn’t think the rule still applied. I lifted my hands as if I were surrendering.
“My fault.”
Shiloh’s brow relaxed before a slight smile curled her lips. “I’m just kidding. You asking doesn’t bother me.” She paused briefly. “I’ll be thirty in two days.” She seemed so proud.
“Came alone?” I knew she wasn’t exactly alone since I’d seen her with the other female earlier, but I was mainly asking if she was attached.
“You sure asking a lot of questions. You want to kidnap me or something?” Her tone was aggressive.
Damn,I thought. I didn’t want to appear like a stalker or some weird dude, and it was obvious I was doing just that. “I’m just making conversation.”
Again, she smiled. This time, a cute giggle followed. “I’m just messing with you.”
I could already tell Shiloh was one to joke a lot.
“I’m with my best friend.” She looked over her shoulder at the female she was with earlier. She seemed to be in her own world as she danced with a cup raised.
I nodded. “Oh.”
“What about you?”
“I’m with my girl.”
The color in Shiloh’s face drained instantly, and her mouth fell agape.
“On that note…” Her words trailed as she prepared to stand.
It was my turn to chuckle while I grasped her wrist lightly. “I’m just fucking with you.” My chuckle slowed. “I’m on the cruise with my brother. He’s getting married in a few weeks.”
Shiloh relaxed a bit, but her expression was still tense. “And your girlfriend?”
The chuckling finally subsided, and a sinister grin took over my features. “What about you?” I asked casually.
She tried her best to hide her growing smile, but the blushing was intense, and the smile eventually won. “You’re corny.”
“Little bit.”
Her smile slowly faded. “Do you have a girlfriend? Wife? Anything that could be a problem?”
We were on a cruise, so what was waiting for me once we stepped off the ship didn’t matter. I was no longer attached by any means because had I been, I wouldn’t have approached her the second time. I had a situation I needed to handle, but it was done for in my book. “Nah.”
She didn’t speak. Instead, it looked like she was reading me for a lie.
“What about you?” I finally asked, breaking the silence.
A sorrowful expression took over her beautiful face before she shook her head. “Nah, I’m single.”
It was so much hurt laced in her tone, and the expression she sported couldn’t go unnoticed. I wanted to make it right, and I didn’t even know what was wrong.
“Wanna talk about it?” I knew it sounded stupid, but hell, in the moment I just wanted to make the pain she obviously felt disappear.
Shiloh lifted her drink, shrugging. “Let’s dance.”
She dismissed my question.Many questions flooded my mind, but it was evident Shiloh didn’t want to address them. She was a mystery, and I was intrigued, but now wasn’t the time or place for it.
“After you.” I gestured toward the dance floor that overflowed with partygoers.
