Page 24 of Lost Summer
The question hung in the air between us.
Adele closed her eyes, her breath hitching as she ran her hand along my jawline. The touch was electric, a spark that ignited a fire within me. I stepped closer once more, leaning down to tilt her chin towards me.
“Don’t kiss me. You’ll regret it,” Adele whispered, patting me on the chest. “Enjoy the rest of your life.”
She was gone before I could say a word, leaving the scent of vanilla and chocolate, a sweet reminder of what could have been. The door closed softly behind her, leaving me wondering what more I could have done. What more I could have said.
I stared at the door as it shut with a quiet click, wondering why I was fighting the urge to chase after her.
Because she was right, I was in a relationship, and I wasn’t that guy.
Yet, if Adele had kissed me, resisting would’ve been futile. Some things are just meant to be—and I’m positive Adele was right—we don’t get many chances at true love.
You can love someone and think you’re happy. But then someone else walks into your life, and bam! Everything makes sense again. I tried to convince myself that it wasn’t meant to be, but deep down, I knew otherwise. I couldn’t get her sweet expression out of my mind and knew I’d never be truly happy without her.
My phone beeped, and I glanced down to see a reminder that my airline tickets were available to download for my flight tomorrow. The thought of more miles between us made my heart ache even more, but Adele had made one thing clear. Shewouldn’t entertain anything while Elena and I were together, so it meant I had some serious thinking to do.
Elena or Adele?
Elena didn’t deserve to be cheated on. Adele was single, and I knew we’d make it if we had a chance. It wasn’t simple, but luckily, I had two weeks away from Elena to think it over. It wasn’t Elena I was going to miss, though. It was Adele.
12
ADELE
TWO WEEKS LATER
Orion swept into the bar like the beginning of a storm, her now silver hair shimmering like a waterfall under the glow of the lamps. She shrugged off her thick coat, a cascade of raindrops scattering onto the worn wooden floor. The scent of damp earth and tobacco clung to her, a testament to her journey through the bustling city streets.
“Bloody England,” she muttered, her voice a rough growl that cut through the hum of the crowded bar.
The patrons glanced up, their eyes drawn to the magnetic whirlwind that was Orion. She was a vibrant splash of colour in the otherwise muted room, her tanned skin glowing against the dim lighting.
“Delly!” she roared, spotting me tucked away in the corner. Heads swivelled in my direction, and I raised a tentative hand, feeling the familiar warmth of embarrassment creep up my neck. Orion’s nude lips stretched into a wide grin as she approached me, her silver bangles clinking with each step.
“I like the silver,” I commented, embracing her. Her hair tickled my nose, the fresh scent of her shampoo lingering as she pulled away.
“Oh, yeah, this.” Orion ran her fingers through her hair, the silver strands slipping through her grip like liquid metal. “I’m shaving it all off soon for charity.”
“Wow,” I breathed, impressed. “That’s brave.”
Orion shrugged, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and trepidation. “I think it will be liberating. I’ll be like Sinead O’Connor. Jez always thinks he knows best because he once met Dave Grohl. I said to him, if you think you can play like our Dave, be my guest. But he can’t, so instead, he shuts up.”
I nodded, pouring her a glass of wine as she filled me in on the latest drama with her band. The soft jazz music playing in the background faded to a distant hum as I lost myself in her stories, the warmth of the wine seeping into my veins.
“We’re playing at The Magnolia next Thursday. I’ve got you a ticket,” Orion said, her eyes locked onto mine.
I raised a brow. “They’re selling tickets to your performance now?”
Orion rolled her eyes, swirling the wine in her glass. “No, but it means you’ll come.”
“Of course, I’ll come!” I assured her, taking a sip of my wine. The rich, velvety liquid coated my tongue, leaving a warm trail down my throat.
Orion’s gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing as she leaned in closer. “Please, for the love of God, tell me you’ve got a hot date sometime soon.”
I sighed, picking at the hem of my skirt. “Nope.”
Orion’s brows knitted together, her lips pursing in thought. “What about Mike from work?”
