Page 65 of Cloud Storm

It just can’t be.

I look up and there he is, watching me like a hawk.

“It’s you?”

From: California Girl

To: Arthur

Date: October 05, 2019 2:31 PM

Subject: RE: RE: What have you done?

Is that you, Lancelot?

Chapter 16

Serendipity.

It can’t be. This is farfetched even for my crazy head.

I need to know for certain.

Before he releases me with one of his many excuses and I play the fool for the umpteenth time.

I take the phone in my shaking hands and send the message. After all, if it’s not true, what’s the worst that can happen?

I hit send and instantly, the unmistakable sound of a notification comes from his phone.

You have received a new email.

Mentally and silently, I ask the same question again. Is that you, Lancelot?

He looks up and his green eyes meet mine. My world stops when I see what’s reflected in his pupils.

And at the same time he makes it impossible to look away.

My heart races like a runaway horse and my body, fearful, wants to do the same.

I need to get out of here.

I couldn’t bear to see disapproval or disappointment reflected in his eyes. No. I just can’t.

Embarrassed and hurt too, I turn to leave the room. I need to be in my home, behind closed doors to rebuild my defenses and lick my wounds in private.

That’s the remedy for my battered pride—or rather, my poor battered heart.

I hear a crash behind me, but I don’t turn around, I just grab the door handle to open it.

Until a hand on the edge of the smooth wooden surface stops me dead.

“Ariel,” pleads that voice that I’ve come to know so well. “Don’t go.”

Yes, I have to go.

“Don’t go,” he says again. “You don’t know how much I’ve wanted this.”

“Your nightmare has come true, your perfect woman has vanished into thin air, Lancelot. Instead of her, you’ve ended up with me.”

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