SARAH I might just be in love. And it sucks. It really sucks because the last time I was, my heart was trampled upon without the slightest consideration. But with them, it was different. Yes, our relationship was wild, crazy, and other words that don’t even explain the half of it. Still, despite all the chaos, there was a grounded feeling that came with being theirs. In all that madness, there was safety. So when they ask me to trust them, I find myself doing so. I’m even so comfortable, I tell them not to hang around other women anymore. Really, what? Stepping out of the bathroom, I smooth my hands over my skirt and clear my throat, while trying to ignore the warm moistness between my legs. My panties are a mess, no doubt. Hopefully, Julian doesn’t have the same sharp sense of smell Malachi does. Speaking of Julian, I find him still seated on the same spot he was when I left. My face lights up in a nervous smile when his gaze lands on me. He tilts his neck to the right, almost looking through me. I do not look away. I know for a fact it’ll mean admitting to whatever his judgmental blue eyes are currently accusing me of. When I take a seat this time, it’s across from him, not beside him. “Hi, there!” My tone is three pitches higher than I intend. He corks his left brow in a query. “You spent a lot of time there.” Be careful, Sarah. You’ve known Julian long enough to know when he sets a trap. “Well,” I clear my throat. “I’m lactose intolerant.” The lie leaves my lips and I take a glance at the cake in front of us. The judgement in his eyes shifts to concern. “Oh.” He sits up. “I didn’t know. Then again, it’s not exactly a first date question, is it?” He coughs out a gentle laugh as he picks up his champagne flute. I’m frozen in my seat, just staring at him. Wait. He really thinks this is a date? Julian drops his glass and seems to be fixated on something behind me. Curious, I tilt my neck backwards, only to find the HawkThorne brothers strolling out of the bathroom. Yes. The same bathroom Julian knows I just walked out of. Ronan’s eyes lock with mine, and I look away immediately. It’s almost impossible to hide the smile that creeps up to my cheeks. So I take a forkful of the cake and stuff it into my mouth. “That’s odd.” I look up at Julian. “What is?” He stares down at the cake. “I thought you were lactose intolerant.” Shit. He leans further into the table, giving me a sharp squinting glare. “You’re red.” “I am?” “Your cheeks.” I forcefully swallow the lump of cake in my throat. “Oh.” “Did they hurt you, Sarah?” “They would never.” The sentence comes out more hostile than I intended. It’s almost like I bit back, like I was trying to defend something I knew I shouldn’t. Julian sucks in a deep breath, scratching the skin of his forehead with a thoughtful, tired look on his face. “I’m just looking out for you, Sarah.” Why? When did I suddenly become his business? I force a smile and pick up my bag. “You know what, Julian? I really appreciate your concern, really. Thank you for the drinks and the cake. But I have to get going now. It’s going to be a busy day at work tomorrow.” He doesn’t hide the defeat in his eyes as I rise to my feet. “Tomorrow’s Saturday, Sarah.” I blink. Really? It doesn’t change a single thing. “I’ll see you on Monday then.” With that, I walk out of the restaurant, and into my car. Kevin is the first person I see when I get home. Which is only normal, seeing as he’s the only one living with me. “Hey berry,” he looks up at me from the TV screen. I flash him a tired smile and he holds up the slice of cake on his plate. “What some?” I almost recoil at the sight of it. What’s wrong with everyone and cake tonight? “No, thank you. I’ll just go in and rest.” Instead of pushing, Kevin’s face lights up with a smile. I’m halfway up the stairs when he calls out. “I suppose you won’t be hungry after your date with Julian.” My stomach turns as I squeeze the rails of the stairs. The feeling that rises to my stomach is not pleasant. Before I know it, I’m running down the steps to confront Kevin. “Julian told you he was taking me out?” He looks surprised, as though he cannot quite figure out why I’m so annoyed. “Yes,” he replies. “It was more like he was asking for permission, but I told him he didn’t need it.” A bitter chuckle escapes my throat. “Permission?” I take one step forward. “Permission?” “Okay, clearly you’re annoyed.” He stands up and walks to me. “He’s a nice guy, berry. And he likes you.” My face contorts into a scowl. He doesn’t get to do that. He doesn’t get to be away for so long and shows up now, only to play the protective brother. I’ve grown past all that. And Julian likes me? That’s even more absurd! But I’m too tired to fight with him, and I have a date to prepare for. A date I actually want to be on. So, I roll my eyes and fold my hands. “I just got out of a messy marriage, Kevin. Don’t you think it’s a little too early for me to be dating?” He raises his right hand to my face and cups my cheeks. I can’t stay mad at him for so long, not with that calm look in his eyes that lets me know he would do anything to protect me…anything at all. “It’s never too early for happiness, berry. Besides, he’s not in a hurry. I’ve made him promise to take things easy.” All I want to do is puke right there, all over my pretty tiles. The thought of Julian Cross “taking it easy with me” makes me sick to my stomach. “Whatever. I’ll see you later.” “Aren’t you going to tell me all about it?” I turn and resume my journey back into my bedroom. “Goodnight, Kev!” After a cold shower, I get dressed in a pair of black Jean shorts and a plain white shirt. That’s all I can do not to seem too excited for what the brothers have planned tonight. They gave me no clue about where they were taking me too, so I guess I just have to wait till I see them. Which would be in thirty minutes. I have checked my phone over thirty times since I returned, and the hours are creeping by too slowly. My anticipation starts to dwindle when it’s 12:10am, and there’s no sign of them. Not even a phone call. Nothing. Just radio silence. I contemplate calling them, but that’ll be too desperate. The last thing I want to do is come off too strong. They’re the ones who asked me out on this date. So why am I the one pacing about the living room and constantly peaking through my window for any sign of them? Better still, why did I believe a single word that came out from their mouths? The disappointment hurts more than anything else. They really didn’t have to lie to me if they knew they didn’t want to spend time with me. Fuck. I slap my palm against my forehead over and over again. I’m so fucking stupid. It’s 2:00 am when I decide to give up hope and return to bed, but a car pulls up in my driveway almost immediately. Two hours late? Absolutely fucking not. I’m seething, hands curled into fists, and tight jaws ready to snap and bite if they give me any flimsy excuse, as I open my door and stomp out of the house. But somewhere deep down in my heart, I’m happy they came at all. My disappointment worsens when I stare into the unfamiliar eyes of a short brunette man. White shirt, a black bow tie, and matching white pants. He looks like a steward. “Miss Wellspring,” he calls my name with a smile, handing me the pink box in his hand. I bite my lip in a frown. “Where are they?” He doesn’t need to ask who I’m talking about. I’m sure he knows. “They sent you here, didn’t they?” Did they take their slut home? Did they suddenly decide they wanted one last night with her before they made me commit to what they wanted? Did they think of my terms and decide I wasn’t worth giving up their freedom for? I don’t want to ask these questions, I really don’t. But I can’t help it, or the tears that rush down my eyes. “I’m so sorry, miss Wellspring. But the HawkThornes are tied up in a…” “Take me to them.” His eyes widen in shock. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m afraid I cannot…” “Take me to them,” I push forward. “Or they’ll never see me again. If you think you’ll lose your job now, they’ll kill you if they realize you’re the reason I’ve disappeared from their lives.” I know I’m pushing it. I’m not even sure if I mean that much to them. However, when I see the fear in his eyes, hope lights a spark in my chest. It’s tiny, but it’s there. He opens the backseat of the car for me. “Shall we?”