Page 20 of The Right Kind of Wrong

I found the strength to ask the next question even though I was terrified of the answer. “Have you thought about it?”

“Recently.”

I swallowed, letting out a shaky breath. Somehow in those few seconds, his face inched closer to mine, his breath fanning my face as the distance grew shorter. My eyes began to close, awaiting his lips on my own and then his phone rang, breaking the moment.

I tried to remember how to breathe and gulped down what was left of wine while I ignored his conversation. This could not be happening.

I wasn't like this. I didn't go around stealing boyfriends or husbands. I didn't like hurting people. Yet out of some cruel twist of fate, I found myself so deeply attracted to my sister's husband that I was willing to kiss him, knowing she was only a short distance away.

He hung up and I gave him a smile, completely avoiding the discussion about what had been so close to happening.

We headed back to the boring little party in silence yet ironically enough, the tension followed us even there. We'd meet gazes even as we spoke to other people, Nana calling me out on it, saying, “That boy seems to be looking at you more than at his wife.”

When the clock struck twelve, there was no New Year's kiss between my sister and Nathan, only a cold, bitter embrace. He approached me afterward, wrapping his arms around my waist and placing a kiss on my cheek.

“If I would have had a New Year’s kiss, it would have been your lips.”

I walked downstairs with the memory still fresh in my mind. We hadn't discussed the subject anymore, not after that night. I blamed it on the alcohol. That was probably what made us talk that way, almost acting on impulse.

That's the lie I told myself, anyway.

“Ready for your new semester?” Carter asked with a smile.

He was waiting for my sister because the lovely lady couldn't be bothered to drive the car she'd recently bought.

“Yes. New semester, new school. I'm ready for it, especially if I have my good luck necklace,” I said, holding up the beautiful gold rose that rested on my chest, the one he'd given me for my birthday.

“I'm glad you like it, Miss Evelyn,” he said proudly.

I shook my head, hugging him. “You're never going to just call me Evelyn, are you?”

“I'm just a driver, dear.”

“You are not,” I said, not breaking the hug. “You are much more than that.”

He smiled warmly at me before pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I wish I could drive you, but Miss Hannah isn't ready and she has another meeting of hers. Will you be taking a cab?”

I opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted by the voice that came from behind me. “I'll take her.”

I turned around about to say “no,” but instead only stared when I saw Nathan with a tucked-in dress shirt and slacks, tying the tie around his neck with such ease it was astounding.

“Are you ready?” Nathan asked.

I mustered a quiet “yes” and said “goodbye” to Carter, not missing the part where Nathan told him to let Hannah know he'd left already.

The drive to PSU was about thirty minutes of tense silence. I leaned my head on the window, closing my eyes for a moment trying to ease my nerves. I had two classes that day with a two hour break between them, giving me the opportunity to tour the campus or maybe work on the pile of homework I was sure I was to receive.

“You'll be fine,” Nathan said quietly.

“Oh,” I said, opening my eyes. “Yeah, I'm not nervous.”

Nathan sighed. “Your eyes are closed but you're tapping away on the window and keep swinging your feet. You're pale even through your makeup and you keep biting your lip. You're nervous.”

Hating that I was so easy to read, I ignored him the rest of the way.

It wasn't easy to do, not when we arrived at the large campus and I was suddenly overwhelmed. Sensing my fears, Nathan took my hand, squeezing it gently.

“What's your first class?”

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