Page 94 of Broken Bonds

The man nodded, and I finally settled into my cold seat with a sigh of relief.

“Don’t let people bully you, Wilson. You’re a survivor—not a victim.” Julian’s soft voice was yet another surprise. And I didn’t know what to do about it. He’d been such a jackass the last time we’d spoken. Why was he being so kind now?

After class, the professor stopped me on my way to the door, raising his finger to beckon me over to his podium. I drew in a deep breath and turned his way, hoping he wasn’t about to lecture me.

“I apologize for my actions; I didn’t realize your circumstances, Celine.”

I blinked in surprise at his apology. With that, he turned and walked out the door, leaving no room for me to answer. Sighing, I headed for the door, but just as I grabbed it, Julian held it open for me, a smirk playing on his lips.

“I don’t see your boyfriend around anymore,” Julian said, making me frown at him. A pang hit me right in the heart at the mention of Ace. “How about that date?”

I sighed heavily. “He was never my boyfriend, Julian.” The words felt like acid on my tongue.

His smirk turned to a smile. “Is that a yes?”

I rolled my eyes, shouldering past him. “In your dreams.”

Julian was in my next four classes, much to my dismay. Eventually, after he asked me out for the fifth time, I gave in. How could I not when I had Amber in my ear telling me I justhad to go out with the hot football player? To give him a chance? To not let Ace and Aidan define my future relationships?

I just hoped I didn’t end up regretting this.

chapter thirty-three

CELINE

On Friday night, Julian knocked on my front door at six, and I was running late. I hadn’t known what to wear for over an hour. After a complete meltdown, I called Amber, and she was now busy doing my hair as Ryan and Julian talked downstairs.

“Stop twitching,” she mumbled for the fifth time when I flinched as the hair curler came near the tip of my ear.

“Stop burning me then,” I snapped.

She glared at me through the vanity mirror but didn’t say anything more, though she was more cautious as she worked on curling my hair. Another five minutes had passed when I checked the alarm on my bedside table through the mirror, and I started to sweat.

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, we just finished your makeup, and you’re sweating. Calm your tits; it isn’t your first date.”

Amber was officiallynotthe best person to call during a first-date crisis.

“My first with him… and since Aidan,” I confessed.

Through the mirror, I saw sadness flicker through her green eyes before she smiled.

“About time you went on a date, my sexy friend.” I snorted.

She stepped away from me, and her eyes met mine in the reflection. “You look beautiful, Cece.”

Looking into the mirror, I saw a ghost of the girl I used to be. Blonde locks of hair were twirled into curls, framing my face, with half of it pinned to the crown of my head. Smoky eyes with long lashes fluttered with every blink, and my cheeks were rosy, my lips red. The simple black dress I had chosen was adorned with gold jewelry to match my black and gold block heels.

I couldn’t believe how long it had been since I looked like this—since I felt truly beautiful.

Turning away from the mirror, I looked at my best friend and wrapped her in my arms. She hugged me back, her slender arms tightening around me. “Thank you,” I whispered into her red hair, and she nodded.

“Let’s go shock Jules,” she snickered, grabbing the heels at the door before heading for the stairs.

Ryan and Julian were facing away from the stairs, both mesmerized by the TV and some college football game. We silently made our way down the stairs and into the foyer, where Amber helped me put the heels on. They weren’t terribly high, unlike what I usually wore. I was scared to put too much strain on my legs, so, I opted for a pair of small heels that still gave me height but remained comfortable.

Amber smiled again, her eyes brightening when she took a step back and looked me over. “Flawless, babe,” she whispered before turning to the foyer. “Hey, Jules, your hot date is ready!”

Julian and Ryan turned, and their jaws dropped when they saw me. I flushed all the way down to my chest. “Well, I’ll be damned. You look smokin’, Celine.” My blush deepened at Julian’s words.

---