“Love you too. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’m going home.” He added, “Not going back to the party.”
Where Tyra was.
Relieved, I smiled and gave him a wee wave.
As I walked into the house, I shoved my hurt and doubts way down deep, so I wouldn’t have to deal with them. So they wouldn’t get in the way of what I had with Lewis. He was stressed. That was it. Nothing else.
We were fine.
We were going to be fine.
Seven
CALLIE
PRESENT DAY
Ididn’t expect it to hurt like this. To chafe. To feel uncomfortable and a bit raw.
But this was still bloody agony, and I hated him for it.
Lewis Adair.
The bane of my existence.
My legs shook as they carried me away from my ex.
The image of him walking through the club was burned on my brain.
He was different, but in a way that made sense.
He didn’t look like a professional architect striding through the room. Lewis looked like a biker. With his messy man bun, short beard, and tattoos.
Lewis had tattoos.
They were revealed in the short-sleeve tee that molded to his strong biceps. I knew from Eilidh that, like me, Lewisstill regularly attended tae kwon do classes. But he also had to work out to bethatin shape. He was as tall as his uncles, and his strong, athletic frame had filled out to something bulkier, more intimidating.
No wonder the redhead had literally thrown herself at him.
When he’d approached us, I thought I might not be able to speak. It felt like my heart had lodged itself in my throat. And the way he’d stared at me, dragging his gaze insolently up my body.
Heat flushed my skin as I pushed into the ladies’ restroom.
With it being a private event, it wasn’t too crowded. But unfortunately, the redhead and her friends were in there too. If they recognized me, they didn’t acknowledge it.
I fumbled with my clutch, pulling out my lipstick and reapplying it. My reflection revealed flushed cheeks and wide eyes. I almost looked like I’d had a shock.
Then the redhead’s conversation started to register.
“I don’t want anyone else. I want to go home with Lewis Adair. I’ve had my eye on him for months.”
“Do you think he’s gay?” one of her friends asked. “I’ve never seen him with a woman at any of these parties.”
“Not according to Eilidh.” The redhead shrugged. “Maybe he likes his women to be more obvious. Maybe I need to go up to him and say ‘Let’s fuck.’”
Her friends laughed; my stomach pitched.
