Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“It’s rude to come to a party without a gift. Take it!” I push it toward her, and she shakes her head. Tina nudges her, and she begrudgingly takes it, smiling back at me.
“Thank you, Thea, I appreciate it,” Sydney says, and I would have believed her if she didn’t push the gift off to Tina.
“This is nice. Is your family here?” I ask Sydney. She nods and looks around until her eyes settle on two people talking to Atlas.
“They love him. He buys them a trip to Paris for Christmas every year. They always hoped I would marry him,” Sydney says, and I watch as Tina’s body tenses. Sydney places a hand on her back, soothing her.
Tina’s eyes flick to where Sydney’s parents are located, and Sydney leans in to whisper in her ear. I look away as they whisper to each other.
Heading to the bar, I order a glass of wine as I plan to not drive home tonight.
“You’re drinking?” I turn to that voice I know so very well. Turning away as my drink is placed in front of me, I wonder if I should answer him or not. Part of me wants to be petty and walk away, but the other knows it’s childish and it is not who I am.
“It looks that way,” I say, bringing the glass to my lips.
“They seem happy,” he says.
I try not to look at Atlas.
He hates me.
I remember that look he had in his eyes when he grabbed Benji and left. It’s not something he will ever forgive me for, and he blames me for what happened even though it’s not my fault—I had no part in it.
“Yep.” I keep my reply short.
Atlas grunts, bringing my attention to him. His face is hard, no emotion showing at all as he stares at me almost looking through me. I try to keep my looks to quick glances and not long, lingering stares. But he’s in my space, and he’s so very close, so close I can smell him, and it makes my stomach clench. The last time I saw him like this where I could smell his skin, I was happy. I liked the way he touched me, how his hands would consume me.
Atlas Hyde had a way of making me think I was a diamond to his roughness. Without using words, just the looks and touches he gave me, told me everything I needed to know.
“How’s Lucy?” I ask, wanting to know. Sydney told me he’s looking after her, and I want to know how she is, despite everything she’s done and is doing to me.
“You want to know how she is?” he asks. His amber eyes, that once stole my every thought, lock on to mine, as if he’s trying to work out if I’m being honest with him or not.
“Yes, how is she?”
Atlas turns to the bartender and taps his fingers on the bar. A drink is put in front of him straight away. I guess being the boss has its perks because they already know what you want.
“Annoying,” is all he replies. My lips fight a smirk at his words—believe me I know how annoying Lucy can be. “And pregnant.”
My lips fall. I never thought Lucy would have children. Or I should say, I had hoped she wouldn’t. Lucy is too selfish, and a child will not change that fact.
“Nice,” is all I can reply. I thought if either of us was to have a child, it would be me. I guess I was wrong. I turn to face him. “Do you still hate me?” Those damn words have left my lips without my consent, but I can’t take it back now. I wait for him to speak, but before he can, Tina walks over, sliding up next to me and smiling.
“Okay, Sydney’s mother didn’t take it very well and is leaving. Sydney asked if I could give her some time to talk to her.” Her eyes flick between us. “What are you two chatting about?” Tina eyes Atlas and then says, “How amazing I am, right?”
“Yep,” I reply, putting my glass to my lips and having a drink. I’m smiling at her when I lower the glass. When I look back at Atlas, he’s watching me. He blinks a few times, and something clears from his eyes, and he looks to Tina.
“I have to go,” he says gruffly, then he walks away.
We watch him, and Tina orders a glass of wine.
“Did you scare him off?” she asks, chuckling.
My eyes continue to watch the direction in which he left. “Maybe,” I reply.
I notice he didn’t answer my question, though. Of course, he didn’t, because he still loathes me.
“Sydney says she bribed you to come to dinner.” Tina chuckles. “I swear that woman can get anything she wants with her words.”