Page 89 of The Wrong Side Of Us

Keep breathing.

The following minutes dragged on. We posted bail and filled out the necessary paperwork stating I wouldn’t try to run, though they had to know I wouldn’t. I had too much to lose; I couldn’t risk it. Soon, they would realize they had no evidence against me, and they would clear my name.

When I walked outdoors, I took a deep breath, cherishing even the feel of the fresh air. It hadn’t been too long at all, but to me, it seemed like an eternity.

However, the arms that wrapped around my neck brought me back to reality.

It wasn’t Evie, though.

“Thank God you’re out,” Jessica said. I hugged her back, not thinking much of her actions. “We were all so worried, Nathan.”

I pulled back to search the parking lot for my family but was stopped abruptly when Jessica’s hands held my face and brought her lips to mine.

Chapter 34

Nathan

What.

The.

Fuck.

Jessica moved her lips against mine, not realizing I wasn’t kissing her back. It wasn’t that I hadn’t kissed her before—I had, way before I came to New York. It never felt right. It was only been once, and even with the drinks I had that night, I knew it would never feel right.

She was a beautiful woman, just not the woman I wanted.

I remained frozen for a few seconds, too stunned to react. When I did, I saw her blue eyes ablaze, as if she’d done something she’d wanted to do for a long time. I cut her happiness short with my reaction.

“What the hell are you thinking?”

“I-I’m sorry, Nate. I didn’t think—” Jessica blinked as she crashed back to reality.

A reality in which I was engaged to Evelyn. A reality in which she knew I’d never given her the idea that we would ever be together.

I had little time to react any further, because when I looked up, I saw Evie standing in place, her eyes glued to Jessica and me. Her clenched jaw showed her anger. My parents were there along with Carter, but I couldn’t look away from Evie. It wasn’t the lack of surprise in her expression that had me also frozen; it was the offense she’d taken.

She was furious and heartbroken.

Damian nudged me with his elbow. “If I were you, I’d go to your fiancé before she murders you. We’re right outside the jail. They’ll apprehend her pretty quick.”

Was this dude fucking joking?

He shrugged, as if saying it was all friendly advice.

I realized I should have followed it when Evelyn walked determinedly towards us with her fists balled to her sides. We should have all seen it coming. I should have seen it coming.

Evelyn’s fist landed on Jessica’s face in a blink of an eye. A startled gasp left her lips, but Evie wasn’t done. Her other hand landed on Jessica’s cheek, the sound so loud I was sure that the security at the entrance of the building could hear. The red hand print on Jessica’s face and the busted lip were evidence of her fury.

“You bitch,” Evelyn hissed, her voice breaking. “I told you to use your mouth to talk to him, not to kiss him.”

“Baby, stop,” I said, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her back. Jessica’s eyes were wide with surprise, but she seemed like she was about to lunge if Evelyn didn’t listen to her.

“Evelyn, I—”

“I don’t have time to listen to your bullshit,” Evie spat. “Get the fuck out of here. You had your chance, and you fucking ruined it.”

I knew Evelyn well enough to know that though she was a calm person, she was not to be messed with. In that moment, she had no control over her emotions; she was upset and overwhelmed with everything that happened. I couldn’t risk her getting hurt if Jessica decided to do something.

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