Page 35 of Forgive You

“You’re not with Jacob anymore.” It’s a statement, not a question.

She flicks her lashes up, a small frown aimed at me. “No.”

Her hip pops as she squares her shoulders with awhat the fuck took you so longattitude.

Suddenly, I feel it, as the ice around my organs melts a little. Hope flutters in my chest, all the way up to my dry throat.

“Why not?”

“You know why not.” Annoyance drips from her voice, and I can only stare at her.

Do I?

My eyes cramp shut, recalling how she was planning to leave the gala without Jacob until he stalked behind her.Fuck.She wasn’t with Jacob then and she isn’t now.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I whisper.

“Because you didn’t want to hear it.” She gives me an incredulous expression.

“Jules.”

She holds up her hand. “I need to go.”

Quickly, she darts past me, but I grab her wrist, tucking her back, breathing in her vanilla scent.Goddamnit.

“Just stay and talk to me.”

Her pretty brown eyes tear up as she flattens her lips. “I wish you asked that question six months ago.”

“I wish you never met my brother.”

She swallows her sadness away, then lifts her chin as she pulls her arm free.

“That makes two of us.”

Group chat

Hunter: Yo, Californian asshats. My birthday is in two months. I expect you home and happy.

Jordan: I’m not from California.

Hunter: But you are an asshat.

Jensen: And you do live in California, so…

Jason: Why are you pretending I don’t come home for your birthday every fucking year?

Jordan: Why did Julie storm off the yacht thirty seconds ago?

Jensen: You guys are on a yacht, nice.

Bodi: With Julie?

Jordan: We’re at a NVS promo party with Ford.

Hunter: With Julie? Our Julie?

Jordan: She’s Ford’s NVS Brand Manager

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