Page 139 of When The Night Falls

He smirked and pointed at the pill. ‘I’m miles ahead of you, dear.’

Nodding, I swallowed it with a mouthful of orange juice and then faced him with a miserable pout.

‘Jason, I’m seriously so sorry about everything. I hate myself for betraying you like that. I mean it. I—’

‘I know, Cara, don’t worry. Just don’t do it again, all right?’

I inhaled sharply and nodded vigorously. ‘I promise.’

‘Apology accepted, then. I get that this was the exception to the rule since he’s my brother.’ He rubbed my back. ‘Just eat, you must be starving.’

‘I love you.’

He glanced at William, who was behaving like he neither saw nor heard us. ‘I love you too.’ Smiling, Jason stroked my cheek with the back of his fingers.

I grabbed my knife and smeared a thick layer of butter onto my toast. William’s eyes looked about to fall out of his skull when he saw it.

‘Damn. Would you like some more bread with your butter?’ he joked.

‘I like butter.’

Jason laughed. ‘Correction, she loves butter.’

William’s lips slid into a winsome grin. ‘Yes, I can see that. Duly noted.’

I gave him a smile and topped my toast with a layer of scrambled eggs. As I was putting the spoon back, I sensed William’s eyes on me.

‘Weak for his scrambled eggs, are you, love?’ he asked. ‘Familiar recipe, perhaps?’

I froze.

‘Right, what’s going on?’ Jason asked.

I sighed. ‘Will made me scrambled eggs the morning after we... I thought they tasted familiar, but I...It just didn’t strike me.’

‘Oh my goodness,’ Jason laughed. ‘This is ridiculous.’

William captured my gaze, still grinning. ‘I’d be happy to make it for you anytime you like.’

It was like something cut into my chest – how could pleasure feel so painful? I took a quick, quiet breath. ‘Thanks. You’re very sweet.’

He studied me as he reached for his cup of coffee. ‘Am I?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then perhaps you’ll have dinner with me today.’

My heart jammed in my throat. He obviously wanted me to confirm that I had meant what I said last night –that I would give him a chance.

Though it took me a moment, I managed to calm down and smile at him. ‘I’d love to, but I can’t,’ I said sincerely. ‘I’ve got plans.’

He cocked his head to the side, his eyes riveted on my features. ‘What sort of plans?’

‘A birthday party.’ I struggled to hold his gaze. I wasn’t sure he would appreciate that Aaron would be there, but I wasn’t about to cancel my plans last minute. It was Tyler’s birthday, and he was my friend too. I had to show up.

‘Whose birthday?’ William asked, and it sounded like he was faking nonchalance.

‘Friend named Tyler.’

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