A Day of Ruin

Bryson held up his hands in defeat. “Fine. You got me there. Coffee it is. But maybe consider an iced latte?”

I shook my head as I reached for my jacket off the coat stand by the door. “It’s chilly. Why on Earth would I get ice anything? Look, just keep your distance and you should get away unscathed.”

My witty comment was met with silence and I turned around to look for him. My mouth went dry as I found Bryson right in front of me, our bodies only inches apart. My heart was beating wildly as our eyes locked, and I started having vivid flashbacks of our last encounter here when we were on our own.

Bryson shifted forward, his body so close that I could feel his body heat tickling my skin.

“I don’t want to keep my distance.”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to maintain eye contact as my cheeks heated. “Oh?”

His brown eyes flickered as they took in my shocked expression. “Yeah. I’m done holding back. Harlow, surely you have to know how I feel about you.”

How he feels about me?

I was pretty sure I was dreaming. I couldn’t fathom how just a week ago I went from being loathed by everyone to suddenly having three amazing, gorgeous guys being protective of me. Though if I was being honest with myself, I’m fairly certain they were all along. We were all just too fucked up to admit it or see it.

I really needed some lessons from Lily about confidence because mine just leapt out the window to a fiery death.

“How do you feel about me?” I whispered, breaking eye contact as I looked to the floor shyly.

Bryson’s hand reached up, cupping the side of my face as his hand ran through my hair.

“You drive me crazy. Ever since I met you. You’re the only one who challenges me.”

I closed my eyes, unable to meet his stare as I waited to wake up. I wanted this to be real so badly.

The city dinner was the worst night of my life. I had lost everything – my mom, my reputation, my life.

But before that had happened, when I was in the hall dancing under the chandelier, I had everything.

I still had dreams about dancing with Bryson. Our arms around each other as we swayed to the music, the rest of the world melting away.

His hand slipped down my neck, gently stroking my chin as he tilted my head up, forcing me to look at him.

“Harlow,” he whispered, our eyes locked, “say something, please.”

“You drive me crazy too,” I admitted, eyes welling up with tears.

Relief broke out on Bryson’s face and he smiled, a breathy laugh slipping out.

“Good,” he answered, leaning down.

My eyes fluttered closed as I felt him near, my body inching closer into him. Time slowed down and I tilted my head, sensing him do the same.

Our lips softly found each other and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I gently kissed him back, smiling against his mouth.

Knock knock knock!

We pulled back, looking over at the front door in shock. My heart was racing and it felt like cold water had been poured over my body as I was suddenly brought back to reality.

As the shock started to dissipate, annoyance filled me.

Seriously... of all the frigging times? Now we get a visitor. Who would even be visiting? Dex was at work and as far as I knew, Finn had PT clients. Unless it was Lily but she didn’t seem the type to belt down the door with tumultuous knocks.

My arms were still wrapped around his neck and we looked at each other questioningly. More knocks came, this time louder and more demanding.

We pulled back and I looked at Bryson with concern. “I’ll get it.”

I walked over to the front door, glancing quickly in the observation hole before frowning.

What the fuck?

Opening the door, I looked at the two police officers who were standing tensely in the hallway. The two male officers looked at me before glancing behind to Bryson as he stood in the living room with a matching confused expression.

One of the officers stepped forward, narrowing his eyes at me. “Are you Harlow Falls?”

“Yes,” I nodded, my cortisol levels immediately spiking and putting me on edge. The officers only nodded in response, looking at each other before motioning to Bryson.

“And are you Bryson Bailey?”

I turned around, alarm bells starting to ring as I looked to Bryson. He had his hands in his pocket, looking between the two officers with bewilderment.

“Yes, Sirs. Can I help with something?”

One of the officers gently moved me out of the way as they stepped into the apartment. I watched in horror as one of them pulled out his handcuffs while the other had his hand resting on his holstered gun as back up. I yelped as they grabbed Bryson, spinning him around as they forced his hands behind his back and began cuffing him.

“Bryson Bailey, you’re under arrest for the murder of Clara Falls.”