The way he says my name makes my insides twist. All the warmth I felt from Cody dissipates.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Cody looks at me, clearly annoyed. “Beckett wants to take my position.”
I hum, looking over at Beckett. “I’ve heard about you.”
“I’m sure you have,” he mocks.
Serena comes out of nowhere and hugs Beckett from the side. “I see you’ve met the princess.”
Cody inhales impatiently.
I’m not offended by the comment as I look at Beckett, who’s watching me.
“It is my birthday,” I say, lifting a brow at these two who are trying way too hard to make me feel uncomfortable. I smile. A black cat doesn’t fear the dark.
Serena breaks the awkward staring contest between the three of us and says, “Well, let’s get fucking drunk!”
Cody says, “No, I’m taking her home.”
Serena laughs. “You left her shitty party to come here, and now you’re taking her home?”
I look up at Cody, whose face is twisting in anger. I place a hand on his arm, trying to ground him. He grabs my hand and pulls me down the hall to where everyone’s sitting.
“Parties over,” Cody announces.
The temperature in the room drops as they look at Cody and me. I shrug innocently, wishing Cody wouldn’t do this on my birthday. It’s too late for that now. I play with the pendant on my necklace, looking at the few new faces on the couches.
Maeve reads my body language and stands. “Okay. We’re heading out.”
Cody walks with us out the front door and down the driveway. Ryan and Julian aren’t fazed as they continue talking about the yacht they found for sale in Spain. Apparently, Julian thinks it’s a great investment, and Ryan disagrees.
Cody grabs my waist as everyone crosses the street to Maeve’s Lexus.
“Are you coming home with me?” Cody asks.
I shake my head.
He grabs my chin. “Come on. You barely stay the night anymore.”
I grab his hands. “We’ll plan another time, okay?”
He nods and then kisses me.
I look up, noticing Beckett watching us. Cody keeps kissing me goodbye, but my eyes are locked on Beckett, and then Serena looks down at us and laughs.
I pull back. “Okay, I can’t keep them waiting.”
“Call me when you get home.”
Chapter 2: Adela
Thecalldoesn’tgothrough. It doesn’t even ring once.
Maeve shrugs. “Maybe he doesn’t have reception.”
I pace my bedroom, noting that my drapes along the far wall need to be adjusted. I still need to find my camera in my closet.
