Page 18 of Covetous

I blink away my tears. The memories and emotions are tangible in the air, reminding us of her absence.

After the last flash, Niko heads out with barely a goodbye. I stay behind with my dad, teaching him how to upload images to his Facebook story until I catch sight of Victor through a gap in the crowd near the women’s restroom. He’s all dressed up, wearing a black button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a pair of nice khakis and hard shoes. His jaw is smooth like always, but his hair is different—more put together—the dark strands swept back by his fingers. He looks good. Better than good, and my God, I can’t help but bite my lip.

My focus shifts back and forth between him and my dad’s phone. Eventually, Victor must feel someone watching him because he starts to look around until our gazes meet. Neither of us looks away, and as the seconds tick by, I know what this looks like and how this feels.

Victor’s eyes narrow slightly, and I wonder if he can read my thoughts. I can read his: What are you doing?

I don’t know. But this has got to stop. There are too many hearts on the line.

“Friend of yours?” My dad’s voice snaps me from my dangerous thoughts, and I quickly avert my gaze from Victor’s questioning eyes.

“What?”

“There was a young man who I thought—never mind. He’s gone. Ready to go? I’ll walk you out.”

“Yeah, sure.” I don’t dare look back.

The house party starts in six hours. Should crowd control problems arise, Liv and Esme will shut things down, calling the cops if need be. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I’m worried. Not about those who were invited. It’s the potential party crashers who concern me.

After leaving my graduation dinner, Ian dropped me off at home before leaving for his place to pack his things. Do all guys wait until the last minute to pack, or is it just my man?

My man. My fiancé. It’d be good to remember that.

What Ian and I have is real. My unresolved feelings for Victor aren’t worth blowing up my life over.

I’ve been holed up in my room, triple-checking the contents of my bag. Ian will be here any second, and he really hates waiting, so I need to make sure I have everything by the door and ready to go if I want us to leave on time. As usual, I have vastly overpacked with enough clothing, shoes, and lingerie to last me a week instead of two days. And that’s not even counting my toiletries and makeup.

A loud, abrupt slam echoes from the hallway. It must have been Esme’s door shutting. I flinch at the sound, but a few seconds later, I can faintly hear hushed voices arguing through the thin wall separating our rooms.

“Did you have to embarrass me like that, though, in front of my grandfather? What the fuck, Victor?” Esme’s voice is strained and filled with hurt.

“What is it that you wanted me to say?”

“Um, I don’t know. Maybe give him the impression that this means something to you.”

“He asked me what my intentions were. If I saw a future with you.”

“And you paused like a dear in fucking headlights!”

I hold my breath, waiting for Victor’s response. Oh shit. Why the hesitation? What is he going to say? My stomach twists in knots as I cringe for Esme.

“I’ve never lied to you, Esme. So I won’t start now.” His words are steady and unwavering.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

His answer hangs in the air for a moment before he continues. “I don’t know if I see a future with you. All I know is that I want to be here. With you. Right now. Why can’t that be enough?”

“And if I were Skylar? Would you be saying the same fucking thing?”

The mention of my name sends shockwaves through me. What the hell am I hearing right now? Why would she say that?

“This isn’t about Skylar,” he says firmly.

What.

The.

Hell.

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