“Oh, gosh,” I said with a sympathetic frown. “I’m so sorry. I hope you’re feeling better.”
She took a deep breath and nodded slowly. “I’m getting there. Thanks.” Harper gestured at my books. “We wanted to grab your books if you still have some left.”
Addie held up three fingers. “We need three sets of your complete trilogy, please.”
The request had my heart soaring to the moon. Not only had they come out here to see me, but they also wanted to buy my books. The support was more than I’d ever received, and stupid happy tears threatened to brim my eyes. I smiled them away and got to work, signing the nine books.
“Are you okay here if I go talk to Dante?” Perseus asked Harper.
Harper nodded. Perseus kissed her temple before striding across the bookstore to join Dante at his table. The two members of Sinners Do It Better clapped hands and began conversing,though Dante’s gaze kept trying to sneak glances of the book he’d left open on the tabletop.
“You and Dante are really close now, hmm?” Iyla teased lightly.
My cheeks warmed, and I glanced up from where I was signing my name to catch all three girls smiling knowingly. Clearing my throat, I explained, “He’s a really good friend.” I paused and added softly, “Mybestfriend, honestly.”
“Right,” Addie said, drawing out the word. She held up fingers to make air quotes. “‘Friends.’ The same way Iyla and Zagan or Harper and Perseus are ‘friends.’ Honestly, all three of you need to just buckle down and own up to it.”
Iyla bit the corner of her lip and ducked her head while Harper scratched the side of her nose and glanced at the man in question. Neither one denied the accusation.
I handed them their books, and after we got Perseus to take our photos together, the girls and the guitarist left. Their surprise visit and Dante’s constant presence made this day better than anything I could’ve hoped for. Even with the absence of those who claimed to love me most, I had other people in my corner.
By the time I neared the end of my scheduled signing, Dante appeared to be over halfway through the book. His attention was firmly fixed on the page, and I was content to watch him read my work, though I itched to know all of the thoughts behind those dark eyes. I only stopped dwelling on what he could possibly be thinking when my signing time ended. I stood and started to pack my things when Dante reappeared at my side.
“All done?” he asked me.
“Yeah. I was just here until 6.”
Dante grinned and tugged his face mask down while tipping his ballcap back some. “Then how about I take you out to celebrate your release day?”
A flurry of excited nerves broke out inside of me. “Really?”
He tilted his head closer, shadows hiding half of his face, yet even that darkness couldn’t hide the fire glowing in his gaze as it traced my body. I held my breath as my eyes fluttered, preparing for the feel of his lips on mine. It didn’t matter that we were still in the bookstore. All I could focus on was his mouth drawing closer.
The bell above the door chimed, drawing my gaze sideways. I gasped, and my heart nearly exploded with unease. I quickly turned to stare wide-eyed at the men who’d just walked in.
“B-Bradley?” I stammered.
Bradley stared at Dante, who stood back to his full height beside me. Tension sizzled in the air, making me swallow hard.
This was going to be bad.
Chapter 21
Dante
THIS WAS GOING TO BE good.
I mean, shoving his loss and my gain of Serenity in his face was what I wanted. It was why I started hanging out with her in the first place. This moment would be the perfect opportunity to do so.
But instead of excitement over this chance to put Bradley in his place, bitterness encased my insides. No, just seeing him in the same room as Serenity, daring to breathe the same air as her, had my demonic form threatening to come out.
All I could hear were the subtle insults he’d made to Serenity about her body.
All I could envision was the bruise he’d left on Serenity’s mouth.
All I could think about was Serenity and how she deserved so much more than this fucking asshole.
Bradley and his blond lumberjack looking friend slowly crossed from the entrance to the table Serenity and I were at. The blond guy—I was pretty sure his name was John—couldn’t look more bored if he tried, while Bradley’s jaw remained tight, even as he smiled at Serenity.
