“Don’t be mad,” I say, reaching into my bag. “I’m heading home. I’m not even hungry and I’ve got a horrible headache." I know it’s because I get very minimal sleep. The little sleep I do get isn’t restful. It’s been this way since my parents were killed, and I try to tell myself that my body is used to it, but I know that’s not true. Sometimes I feel so run down, and nothing I’ve tried helps.
I pull out some cash and slide it toward the center of the table to cover my part of all the food we ordered.
Juniper immediately reaches across and pushes it back toward me.
Then she pulls out a credit card and sets it down with a mischievous grin.
“It’s on Kalen tonight.”
Miranda giggles, already over their little spat earlier. “Does he know you have that?”
“Yeah, he gave it to me. He checks it to see if I use it, and I don’t usually, so this will make him happy,” Juniper says as if we should just get it, and whatever she has going on with Kalen doesn’t need any further explanation.
I shake my head, laughing as I slide out of the booth.
“The two of you are odd with each other,” I say. “And it has nothing to do with the fact that you’re step siblings.”
Juniper raises her glass in a mock toast.
“Text when you get home! We’ll probably be out late,” Miranda shouts to me, but then her attention is on Ronan who is still pouting. “Ronnie! Come over here, we’ve got two empty seats.”
I weave my way through the crowded pub toward the door without looking back, because I know Juniper is steaming at Miranda’s invitation.
LIVY
The Irish night air hits my face the second I step outside. There’s students hanging out talking, but it’s not nearly as loud as inside the bar. Cigarette smoke wafts toward me, and that’s my cue to rush home. That’s going to make this headache ten times worse. I’m only a few steps onto the cobblestone walkway when a strange feeling creeps back into my chest. At first, I think it’s because I have to walk through the large group of students walking toward the pub. I’m glad to be leaving when I am, because I don’t see how this many people are going to fit with everyone else still inside.
Suddenly, the memory of those dark green eyes flashes in my mind. The way Sebastian Vale looked at me like he already knew me. Like he was seeing something no one else could. I look around because it’s like I can feel him, because one thing is certain.
I absolutely did not imagine that moment with him
And somehow I know I haven’t seen the last of Sebastian Vale.
I pause on the walkway for a moment, letting my eyes adjust. The street is darker than I expected, the misty Irish air swallowing most of the light from the lampposts. I should havewaited for Miranda and Juniper. St. Killian is safe, and most people wouldn’t bat an eye at walking home on their own. But given my track record, I shouldn’t risk it. Laughter and chatter spill out of The Red Boot every time someone opens the door to step inside.
I can’t go back in there. My temples throb at the thought, but I remember that my pepper spray is in my bag. I keep walking and sigh as I dig through its contents, fingers pushing past my wallet, my lip balm, a pen, my keys.
“Where are you…” I mutter quietly.
My hand finally brushes the small metal canister right as I slam straight into something solid.
A gasp escapes me because the wind was knocked out of my lungs. Did I freaking walk into the side of a building?
My balance is the first to go after my breath. My shoe slips on the damp pavement, and for a split second I’m certain I’m about to fall flat on my back.
But I never hit the ground.
Large hands catch me and hold me upright like it’s nothing at all.
My heart jumps straight into my throat as I look up.
And it’s official, I’m never going to have air in my lungs again.
I guess I know why his nickname is Bash now, because up close he’s even bigger than I realized. He towers over me, easily six foot five, broad shoulders stretching the fabric of the dark hoodie he’s wearing. His messy black hair falls across his forehead in thick waves.
But it’s his eyes that hold me there because they’re fixed on me so intensely that my chest tightens another notch.
For a moment neither of us moves. My whole body feels strange. Calm, but also buzzing like something electric is humming under my skin.
