“Are you completely out of your mind? Lia only came along for my sake, she didn’t want to go out at all, you idiot. Don’t you dare blame her for that miserable asshole, or you’ll be the one to lose your sister. Seriously, Nic, cut the childish crap. Amelia hasn’t done anything to you.”
Stunned, I watch Lizzy, who is glaring angrily up at Nicolas, then punches him on the chest.
What? Oh my God.
No one has ever stood up for me like my best friend is right now, and the feeling is indescribable, completely surreal, which is why I have to fight back tears.
“Lizzy… it’s fine…” I don’t get any further because her death stare now lands on me. Mid-word, I stop and close my mouth. It’s better if I don’t say anything now, since I’ve definitely noticed the way she narrowed her eyes at me when I said there were no consequences for ME. So, it’s probably better to keep quiet.
However, I make the mistake of looking up a little farther. There, I meet slightly amused, arrogant gray eyes that are fixed on me.
Damn, this guy.
My heart races wildly, I can almost hear it pounding.
“Don’t you dare defend this idiot now. What the hell is this about? As if you had anything to do with that sex-crazed drug addict putting something in my drink. Are you kidding me?”
Uh-oh, she’s really worked up now.
I make a face, which Nicolas notes with an unreadable expression before he looks back at his sister.
“Okay, okay, calm down. I’ll behave in the future and be a good husband, I promise.”
He throws me a look that sends a chill down my spine, his eyes glinting ominously, darkly. Great, as if my life wasn’t complicated enough already.
“See, Lizzy? Insight is the best way to improve, and I’m sure your brother can learn too.” I can’t resist the jab, and Nicolas’s eyes narrow just slightly, but I hold my ground under his intense gaze. I don’t look away.
“Well, then, I guess that’s settled. And you, sis—” He’s cut off again by that little tornado, and he crosses his arms, taking a deep breath in and out.
“Don’t you dare say ‘Sis, calm down.’ Don’t talk to me like I’m some spoiled, dumb little thing. I mean it. Treat Amelia badly again, and we’ve got a problem.” She waves her finger right in front of his face, looking like she might lynch her brother any second. He grows serious again and nods.
“Got it, Liz. You can take your dragon back, I’ll behave.” Another glance at me, but this time I ignore it.
She turns to face me, her eyes practically drilling into mine.
“And you won’t take this shit anymore. You’ve been through enough. Understood?” She speaks to me sharply and authoritatively, and I simply nod. I really don’t want to say the wrong thing right now.
“I’ve got my eye on both of you. Don’t forget that.” She shoots us both a warning look before leaving the room with her head held high. And I’m left alone with Mr. Self-Righteous.
“Apparently, my sister loves you. For whatever reason…” He wants to say something else, but I raise my hand and actually manage to silence him.
“Nicolas, with all due respect, I couldn’t care less what you think of me or how you feel about me. Just leave Lizzy out of this. You don’t have to like me, and I don’t have to like you. But one thing she’s right about: I’m not your personal punching bag to vent your moods on. You’ll have to find someone else for that.And now, I’d really appreciate it if we could just get this farce over with. Without stress, because after all, we’re supposed to look incredibly in love, right?”
With that, I stand up, and his gaze follows every movement of mine, so intensely that I feel a shiver all over my body, and I feel strangely exposed.
“Very well, your wish is my command, milady.” He bows and suddenly extends his hand to me, which I respond to with a raised eyebrow.
“You were just about to play the role of half of an infinitely in-love couple. Now you have your chance, Goldilocks,” he says mockingly, gesturing for me to come closer with a flick of his finger.
Oh God, this is going to be fun.
I square my shoulders and slowly walk toward him, and as my hand slips into his, our fingers intertwining, his thumb gently strokes my skin. I look up at him, surprised. It feels oddly safe and familiar.
“What? We’re supposed to look like we’re in love, wife. So, make an effort.”
There he is again.
I roll my eyes and turn toward the door, but Nicolas suddenly jerks me into his body. I have to stifle a groan as my ribs protest painfully. My free hand rests on his chest as his slides down my side, stopping just above my lower back.
