Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“I’m going to bring you all down,” she calls from behind us. “Just you wait….”
Theo’s murderous eyes meet mine. “You have the worst taste in women.”
“In this instance—” I drag my hand through my hair, “—I have to agree.”
ALORA
The music is playing, the dance floor is packed and I have to say, this is actually a fun night. Thomas has been a godsend, he’s swooned every female he has met off her feet. Laughed with Sinclair and Theodore and I may have even caught Edward half listening as he talks.
“Do you want to get some fresh air?” Edward asks me.
“Is that code for do I want to come outside while you and your friends smoke cigars kind of fresh air?”
Edward’s eyes dance with mischief. “Perhaps.”
“No, thank you.” I smile and he kisses me softly.
“Back soon.” His hand runs down over my behind as he nips my neck.
I watch him walk through the crowd and smile, see…this is why I brought Thomas, Edward would never have left me here alone. He would have been chained to my side to the detriment of us both and we would have both gone home frustrated.
I walk over to the bar and wait in line and I feel someone standing to the side of me, not in the line but close enough that I can feel them watching me.
Hermione.
We don’t know each other and have never been introduced, but I know who she is from all my stalking…. Which is actually pretty pathetic now, given the circumstances.
It’s obvious she has something she wants to say…here goes nothing.
“Hello.” I smile.
“Hello.” She nods shyly.
I don’t know why, but I just get the feeling that she’s a good person, from everything Edward has told me and the vibe she has surrounding her. I move closer. “Hermione, is it?” I ask.
“Yes.” She nods. “You’re Alora?”
“Yes.” I hold my hand out to shake hers. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She forces a smile. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“Were you and Edward together behind my back?”
“No.” I shake my head.
“But he bid for you at the auction when we were still together. Is that where you met?”
My heart sinks and I don’t know why but I have to fess up my sins to this woman, she deserves to know the truth.
“Edward and I knew each other a long time ago. The auction was the first time we had any contact in years.”
“Did you date him back then?” Her eyes search mine.
I nod.
She presses her lips together as if processing the information.
“When we saw each other at the auction we both….” I shrug.
“Knew?”
I nod again. “I was in a relationship also.”
“You broke that off?”
“Yes.”
“Did he know you left someone for him?”
“No. I didn’t want him to know, I didn’t want it to affect your relationship.”
“Did you sleep with him while he was with me?”
“No. We kissed hello at the auction but I swear to you, nothing else happened while the two of you were together.” I shrug, ashamed that I even let us kiss. “I’m not like that. I would never…”
She nods and I know that she believes me.
“I’m sorry for what happened with your friend, you deserved better.”
“He told you?” She frowns.
I nod. “And I want you to know that I’m on your side. There is no excuse for what transpired. I’m absolutely appalled on your behalf, and if you ever need anything or any help with that so-called friend of yours, please let us know.”
She gives me a lopsided smile.
“Edward isn’t innocent in this; his behavior was inexcusable and it’s not okay,” I add.
“It wasn’t his fault, I suggested it.”
“To try and help a situation, not because you wanted to. This isn’t on you, don’t ever let anyone tell you that.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes well with tears and I know that hearing this from me means a lot to her. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
“Look after him.”
Oh….
“I will.” I take her hands in mine. “This is just a roadblock, Hermione. Your happiness is coming.”
“You think?”
“I know.”
She looks at the ground for a bit as if wondering what to say next. “I should let you go.”
“It was lovely meeting you.”
She smiles. “You too.” She turns and I watch as she disappears into the crowd.
The crack in her heart is iridescent under the lights.
Fuck.
It’s just past 1 a.m. and I have no idea what time these kinds of parties finish.
I sip my margarita, about my tenth tonight, and Thomas smiles into his.
“What?”
“Everyone just stares at you as they walk past.”
“They do not.” I smile.
“Yes they do, and whenever Edward touches you, nearly the entire party turns and watches.”
“They do not.” I laugh, embarrassed.
“Hey, it’s a good thing.” He smiles as he looks around.
“How is that a good thing, everyone probably can’t believe that I snagged the bachelor of the universe.”
“They can’t believe that he snagged you.” He taps his glass with mine.