Sarah grinned. “He’s a hot asshole then. Am I right, Amy?”
“I don’t find him an asshole.”
She raises fine eyebrows. “I notice you didn’t say you don’t find him hot though.”
I shrugged. “He’s definitely hot. And definitely only a friend.”
She tilted her head to the side and studied me as if she didn’t believe me.“Anyone else caught your eye?”
“No,” I say quickly—too quickly.
“Okay, well I’m sure a pretty girl like you would have half the town after you?”
Georgie nodded and talked with a mouthful of muffin. “Yes, she does.”
I smiled but it felt forced. I sat back. I had a few eyes on me. But none are the only set that mattered. The two girls continued talking but it fell distant on my ears.
My mind was on Karson—more specifically, of them together. Panes of glass shattered over and over in my chest, until I felt like I was bleeding. My whole body dripping with red.
Somehow, I managed to smile at appropriate times and pop a few comments in here and there. But mostly I left them to talk.
By the end of the coffee date, as much as I wanted to hate Sarah, I couldn’t. She was nice, with a wicked sense of humor, and I could see why she and Georgie were such good friends.
If Karson had to move on with anyone, she was a good choice at least.
Still . . .
Chapter 71
Lost
When I arrived home Karson’s car sat like a foreboding omen in the drive. The death card in the tarot pack. The black fog in a crystal ball. The cracked heart in a tea-leaf reading.
I thought about turning around and leaving. But I knew he’d have heard my car. And I didn’t want to show him he held power over me. I walked toward the house. My legs felt heavy. My chest tightened like a spring. My heart beat fast. Shit.
Remain calm. Breathe.
I drew in a few slow deep breaths and my heart rate steadied. I lifted my chin, straightened my back and strolled through the doors. Hopefully without a care in the world on my face.
Darcy and Ethan sat on the couch, whiskey in hand. Karson stood by the fireplace.
“Hi, Darcy,” I said, brightly, not meeting anyone’s eyes.
Darcy gave me a half salute, half wave.
I jogged up the stairs, my whole body buzzing with nervous energy. Why is he here? The audacity of him to come to my home after what he’d done. He wouldn’t care how it would make mefeel. He told me he doesn’t feel emotions like humans do. He told me, everyone told me, and like a fool I thought I knew better.
I threw running gear on. I filled up my water bottle in the bathroom sink because I didn’t want to walk past Karson to the kitchen. I snapped my running belt on, tucked in my phone and water bottle. As a last-minute decision, I grabbed a jacket and tied it around my waist. I took my ring off and headed back down, keeping my eyes on the steps. Just keep calm and concentrate on my breathing, I told myself.
Breathe, in and out, in and out.
I could feel his gaze burn the top of my head.
Breathe, in out out.
“Amelia.”
His voice shot a charge through my body. My breath jammed. I wavered, gripping the balustrade to hold myself steady. I glanced up to meet his gaze. It was unnerving the power his eyes held over me, as if they stroked like a fire inside.
