I take a large gulp of champagne, desperate to extinguish the wildfire spreading through me.
I look up, locking onto his aquamarine gaze.
“Hi, Max,” I manage, keeping my voice as even as possible.
A small smile tips the corner of his lips. “Hi.”
“Max, it’s so great to see you!” April exclaims, shattering our bubble. She rounds the island and reaches up on tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. Her enthusiasm is entirely innocent, but a hideous feeling—something uninvited—threatens to blanket me. I remind myself they’ve known each other for years and April is marrying James.
“I’m so happy you’re here! I have to introduce you to James,” she says, grabbing his hand and pulling him behind her.
Max is all charm and charisma as he introduces himself to the rock star, the two instantly hitting it off and discussing travel and work.
What the hell is wrong with you, Gemma? You don’t do jealousy. Especially with men you’re casually sleeping with.
Suddenly, the remaining six weeks look like an eternity.
“Mason!” I say, scooting off the barstool and pulling him in for a hug. “It’s so nice to see you. It’s been ages!”
Mason’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes, not like it usually does, as he greets us. “Hey, Gem. It’s good to see you.”
He moves on to greet April, who shares a brief worried glance with me before continuing our small talk, discussing how we all are, what we’ve all been up to, and how work’s going.
Throughout the entire conversation, I notice that Mason doesn’t touch Anna once—not like he used to. The conversation is stiff and forced. They’ve never shied away when it comes to public displays of affection.
Max’s jaw ticks as Mason catches us up on his latest news. It’s been a long time since either April or I have seen Mason, and I can’t help but wonder if Max knows something we don’t. Something about Anna and Mason’s relationship that he’s keeping close to his chest.
I’m pulled from my thoughts as everyone from outside files in. Lucas enters wearing a scorned look that suggests he’s miserable, and I revel in it.
I’ll never forgive him for hurting April the way he did, even if she’s happier than she’s ever been.
Will and Tom nurse two large trays piled high with different cuts of succulent barbecued meats and colorful salads. The aroma hits me, and my mouth waters.
As Anna, April, James, and Caroline fuss about gathering cutlery, plates, and glasses, Will drops the tray to the kitchen counter with the delicacy of an elephant. His eyes lock onto mine with disconcerting intensity.
“Ew, what?” I ask, shifting and feeling mildly uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
A wolfish smile spreads across his face, and I scrunch my nose in repulsion.
“I’m sitting next to you.”
Anna chokes on her champagne, stifling her laugh.
This day just keeps getting better and better.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Max
I clock the stupid one as Will, lead guitarist of Atlas Veil. The way he obviously ogles Gemma opens a pit in my stomach, and a wave of possessiveness laps at my skin like an incoming tide.
He wants her. And he isn’t subtle about it.
Gemma’s eyes shift to me, a brief panicked glance, and I watch her with indifference painted across my face. Not doing anything is foreign to me. I’m used to taking what I want, and what I want is Gemma. But with my sister sitting across from Gemma and me as we’re seated at the table, I’m unable to show Will that she’s mine.
The wordmineechoes in my head.
She isn’t mine—not really.But God, I think I want her to be.
