“Everyone is delusional. They have no idea how controlling you were.”
Sometimes, when I’m lying in my bed at night, I think about what I’ll say to Craig the next time he tries to beg me back. I promised myself I’d never sleep with him again after the last autumn. It happened to be the same night I met Nick.
I’d asked the goddesses, how Blaire had instructed, to give me a sign to never see Craig again. Nick appeared like an angel.
After Craig and I fooled around, he left and met another woman for a date. That was when I realized I was his hometown fuck buddy, his sneaky link, and he’d used me to get what he wanted. Thanks to Blaire stalking him, I learned he had taken that woman to his brother’s house. Meanwhile, I went to Bookers and drank the night away.
“Admit that you feel something when you look into my eyes,” he whispers. “I need to know.”
“Craig—”
The bell chimes so hard that the door rattles, and that’s when I see Nick standing in the threshold. His stance shifts when he looks between me and Craig, reading the situation in seconds. He pushes his expensive designer sunglasses on top of his head, and I meet his piercing honey-brown eyes.
His brow lifts as he approaches us, and he’s already reached the correct conclusion.
As soon as Nick is close, I reach my arm out, and he wraps his around me.
“I missed you,” I say.
“Damn, me too.” He smirks, kissing me on the forehead. “Especially after last night.”
Nick tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear and smiles. Those butterflies swoop in, and I wish they’d stop it because it’s too confusing.
Craig clears his throat, clearly intimidated. Nick’s jaw clenches tight, and it’s obvious how he wants to rip Craig to shreds.
“Can I help you?” Nick finally asks, treating Craig as if he’s the biggest inconvenience of his life. The confidence, the no-shits-given persona, is sexy as hell.
“I don’t think we’ve met.” Craig squares his shoulders, trying to match Nick’s presence. It just doesn’t work. “Craig Downing. Jules’s?—”
“Forever ex,” I interrupt firmly. “Craig was just leaving with these flowers he bought for his mother.” I pick up the bouquet and push it toward him.
There’s something in Nick’s eyes that makes Craig take a step back.
“I didn’t catch your name.” Craig’s voice carries a challenge.
I panic.
“Because I didn’t throw it to you. However, I’m Nicolas Banks. Jules’s boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend,” I repeat as my heart ricochets against my rib cage.
Holy shit, did he just say boyfriend?
Heat rushes up my neck, embarrassment mixing dangerously with excitement. The ladies are watching with eyes as wide as saucers. I’m so screwed, knowing this won’t stay within these walls. My cheeks heat more.
Nick’s smile doesn’t fade when he meets my eyes. “Soon-to-befiancée, especially if she keeps looking this damn gorgeous. Going to have to make sure to put a ring on that finger so I can keep her all to myself.”
Craig freezes, and I see his heart rate tick upward.
“Oh, stop,” I say to Nick with a nervous chuckle, wishing he would, because this will push Craig to spiral.
His thumb brushes against my cheek, and I stare into his brown eyes. He carefully reads me like a message in a bottle.
“Come on. We both know you’ll eventually be my wifey. Mrs. Julie Banks. Sounds so sexy.” Nick chews on his bottom lip as he studies me, noticing how I’m not squirming.
He’s having too much fun, but I know this will backfire.
“It has a ring to it,” I say.
