Chasing Heartbreak (Dark Love 6)

The resentment in his tone lingers along with his words. I’m not quite sure whether we switched to talking about something else, and judging by the bitter expression, it’s a fair call to say we have.

“Well, that’s why you need to make your position strong from the beginning. Don’t let someone else dictate the journey. The best relationships last when two parties are in agreement.”

“And sometimes you’ve done all that, but it’s still not enough,” he throws back.

“Hey!” I cross my arms with frustration while raising my voice. “I don’t know what your problem is, Noah, but it shouldn’t be me. We’ve been around each other for like, what, five minutes, and you’ve got this chip on your shoulder. I don’t have time for your mind games or whatever the hell you’re doing. I came here to have fun, so excuse me while I go do exactly that.”

I yank the skirt of my dress so as not to trip, scanning the area before deciding to hit the dance floor on my own. Noah’s hand grips on my arm, causing me to stiffen.

“I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to…” He lets go, running his hand through his hair while pinching his lips together. “You’re right. This isn’t your battle, so I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

I’m about to tell him he’s right. It’s not my battle, so don’t include me in his mess until he extends his hand and softens his expression. “Let’s go dance.”

I follow him to the dance floor but not without our drinks. We dance to music, which isn’t as comfortable in our costumes. The more we dance, the more we drink. The more we drink, the more we laugh while the room becoming a hazy sight. Noah leaves to use the restroom, leaving me with Charlie as Lex wants a break.

We dance for what feels like hours. Charlie makes sure to take selfies to send to a jealous Eric. Somewhere during another fit of laughter, Noah and Lex join us once again. We’ve become friends with a group of girls and formed a small circle. Our bodies sway to the music, champagne spilling from our glasses while trying to drink and dance simultaneously. Arms wrap around my waist, providing me with the comfort I’ve missed. I don’t push Noah away, allowing him to hold onto me as he has done so many times. It pisses off two of the women who are trying to get near him, but what do I care. The room is my oyster or whatever the saying is.

You’re drunk. You can’t even get the damn saying right.

Tonight has been just what I needed, allowing me to unleash the tension chaining me down the past week. Feeling liberated on copious amounts of champagne, my body sways in tune to “The Hills” by The Weeknd as Noah draws me close to him, our faces only inches apart. I lean in closer, about to whisper in his ear how much I missed him when the devil’s eyes find me from across the room.

Dominic.

KATE

Dominic moves toward where we’re standing with Allegra attached to his arm, making quite the dashing couple.

I’ve only met her once—the first time Dominic introduced her as his fiancée. Despite it being years ago, the face has been etched in my memory—the deep green eyes against her olive skin to her perfectly sculpted features descendent from her Italian heritage. Without a doubt, she’s beautiful. And no matter how scorned I was upon first meeting her, I can’t ignore my insecurity stemming from the ugly disease of comparison.

But that was then, and now, I’m no longer a woman driven by my emotions. No one makes me feel less than what I deserve to be. I control my life and no one, especially her, has the power to change that.

The closer they get, the more their costumes become apparent. Allegra is wearing a century-style satin gown in royal blue with distinctive gold lace trim. Sitting on top of her head is a white wig, styled to the event’s era and theme. Dominic is wearing an aristocrat suit, similar to Lex and Noah, with a simple mask. The shade of royal blue and gold matches Allegra’s costume to a tee.

The perfect couple.

Only a few feet away, my breath begins to hitch, and the champagne swooshes in my stomach in an unpleasant way. A wave of nausea climbs up my throat before I purposely swallow and tell myself to get my

act together. All these unwanted feelings need to chill the hell out and disappear, if only for the next few moments.

“Lex Edwards,” Dominic greets with a polite smile, extending his hand toward Lex. “A pleasure to see you again.”

It takes a moment for Lex to realize it’s Dominic, shaking his hand before turning toward Charlie.

“This is my wife, Charlotte Edwards.”

“Dominic Kennedy,” he introduces, his eyes entirely on Charlie and devouring her in a way which Lex appears bothered by. “I’ve heard a lot about you… from my brother, of course.”

When it comes to poker faces, Charlie is a professional. Given her career choice of being a lawyer, which involves arguing for a living, attending court, and never showing the other players your cards, I know her well enough to know she’s playing the game right now.

Forcing a smile with the tilt of her head, she extends her hand out politely to shake Dominic’s. “All good, I hope, though we met years ago at your mother’s Christmas party.”

“Right, of course,” he answers, then purses his lips, turning swiftly until his complete attention is on me.

The shift of his gaze falls on the floor, trailing up my dress and past my ample bosom where he bites his bottom lip before looking into my eyes. Keeping my expression entirely still, my lips are tight, pretending to be the old friend and not a part-time lover who fucked him a week ago.

He leans forward to kiss both my cheeks in a bold move, something Europeans are known for despite Dominic being American. The graze of his lips against my skin ignites a flame, but I pull away quickly not to draw further attention to us.

“Kate, you’ve met Allegra,” he goads with a knowing smirk on his face. “My wife.”