Page 27 of Lost Summer
“That memorable, was it?” Orion called, shaking her head. “Quite the lover.”
Oh, no. I’d taken her virginity and fucked off.
“I swear, I looked for you. I’m sorry, I had no idea—” I blurted.
“It’s fine.” Adele looked like she would die of embarrassment, but then a smooth voice interrupted our tense exchange.
“Teddy, who is this fine specimen?” A hand clapped on my back, and I turned to see Phillip Drayton, his eyes locked onto Adele with an intensity that made my blood boil. “I’m Phillip Drayton, and you are...?”
Adele gave him a sweet smile, nodding her head. “Adele.”
Phillip kissed her hand, his charm oozing from every pore. “No ring? Tell me, beauty, are you single?”
I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my composure as Adele nodded. “I am.”
Why did it feel wrong to hear her say that?
“Well then, I must ask if I can buy you a drink. Your friend, too, if she’s accepting?” Phillip requested, turning to Orion.
Orion lifted the bottle of wine from the table, nodding. “Good man! We’ll have another bottle of whatever this is, thank you muchly.”
As Phillip and Orion made their way to the bar, I turned my attention back to Adele, my heart thudding in my chest.
“Adele, look at me,” I urged, moving closer to her. Our fingers brushed against each other, sending a spark of electricity between us.
Adele jumped back like she’d been electrocuted, but I persevered.
“I’m leaving Elena.”
Adele’s eyes widened, her breath hitching in her throat. “Why?” she breathed, reaching out to steady herself in the plush armchair.
“Shall we sit?” I gestured to the seats, and she sank into one, nodding faintly.
I sat down beside her, the scent of her perfume enveloping me like a warm embrace.
“I’m leaving her because I can’t stop thinking about you,” I confessed, my eyes locked onto hers. “And if you’re not interested in me, I don’t care. I’m still leaving her.”
Two weeks of staring at a hotel wall night after night had made me see things differently. How could I marry someone who I didn’t even like that much? Sure, we got on okay, but we had nothing in common. Not anymore.
Adele blinked, tears welling up in her eyes. My heart sank, guilt beating my chest like a drum.
“You’re leaving her for me?” Adele questioned, her voice barely a whisper.
“It’s not just that,” I responded with a grimace. “I mean, you’re stunning, inside and out, and I want to get to know you—I want to know everything about you.” I ran a hand through my hair and added, “But I’m not happy with Elena, Adele. I haven’t been for a while.”
Adele nodded, and as she went to say something else, Orion and Phil dropped two trays onto the table between us. Orion sat beside Adele, checking to see if she was okay. Her gaze turned to me, and she pointed a bright yellow talon in my direction.
“Have you upset her?” Orion demanded, her voice like thunder.
“No, he hasn’t,” Adele stated, rising to her feet.
Fuck, she’s leaving.
But she didn’t.
She came and sat next to me.
I moved up, but she put her hand on my knee, holding me in place. I could barely breathe, especially when she reached to cup my face.
