Page 53 of Pretty Heartache

I pin my eyes on Adeline, letting them move up and down. I can’t stop looking at her, at everything, from the way her hair is pulled high and tight, revealing all the angles of her beautiful face to the way her dress clings to the curve of her hips. I hadn’t noticed until now, but Adeline hasn’t been wearing makeup since the day she moved in. Her lashes are noticeably darker than usual, and her lips are painted a matte purple-red color. She’s always beautiful, but with makeup on, she’s slipped into model mode—a mode I’ve seen plastered online and in magazines.

“You should come with us,” Ember blurts out.

“Ember!” Adeline gasps, shooting her best friend a glare.

“What?” Ember asks. She lifts her arm in my direction. “He’s your roommate, and he’s Archer’s best friend. It’s not like we’re asking a stranger to join us.”

“Really. I’m sure Micah has a ton of work he wants to get done here.” Adeline shakes her head, her shoulders slumping. She plants one hand on the island and swings her gaze to mine. “You don’t have to go.”

Something about her pleading, embarrassed eyes relights the spark inside me, much the same as the insatiable sensation I got when sitting on the bike the other day before kissing Adeline in the rain. I should say no and walk away. I should stalk out to the backyard and take all my pent-up, sexual frustration out on vintage furniture now turned to garbage.

But I know it won’t be enough. All I’ll do is spend my time worrying about Adeline. I’m supposed to protect her. I know she’s strong and she can protect herself in some capacity, but another quick glance at her long, bare legs and her fully exposed breastbone has me rethinking my decision to stay here.

“Where are you going?” I casually ask.

Adeline sighs, and I see the annoyance. She’s tried hard to keep me at a distance since I stopped what we were doing before it went too far.

“Exodus.” Ember leans forward, bringing her face into view.

Well, fuck. Exodus is one of the city’s most popular nightclubs. VIP sections, dancers in cages, and a maze of a platform running across the entire dance floor. Exodus is a club for the elite and most prominent figures in Boston, especially their spoiled college kids who’ve never struggled a day in their life.

It’s a place Archer and I used to frequent when we were in our twenties.

It’s also a place I know will be packed with men salivating over themselves with the way Adeline and Ember are dressed.

“Is it just you two going?” I ask Ember, swallowing down my urge to object.

“No, we’re meeting a few of my classmates at Empire Beauty School. Some artists and photographers. We’ve reserved a booth.” Ember shrugs. “It’ll be fun. You should totally come with us.”

Adeline avoids my stare, keeping her gaze on the counter while I focus on her chest as she breathes.

My heart sinks, and although I’m frustrated, I don’t want to keep pushing her away. I want to respect her for keeping her distance.

It’s for the best.

Despite what my heart and body is telling me, I’m not good for Adeline. Not when I’m keeping so much of the truth from her.

“It’s okay,” I tell Ember. Adeline snaps her head up. “You two go celebrate.”

“Okay.” Ember sighs. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where we’ll be.”

Adeline keeps her gorgeous, glittered eyes on me while my gaze falls to her mouth. It takes everything in me not to change my mind. I want to kiss her. I want to know what her lips taste like when they look as sinful as they do now.

But I can see she doesn’t want me to go. I’ll only be a distraction.

“Thanks.” I give them both a tight smile before setting my unfinished beer on the counter. “Have fun.”

Ember makes her way down the hallway, checking herself in the mirror before opening the front door. She steps out, leaving me and Adeline to ourselves.

She doesn’t speak a word to me. Silence lingers between us.

If I could, I’d cut the tension with a knife, but I’m at a loss for words. My need and want for Adeline are crystal clear, but all the ramifications that come with breaking this line with her involve crossing into unknown territory.

She knows it, too.

Not caring whether I’m crossing that line right now, I walk over to Adeline and place my hand over hers. She inhales a sharp breath and holds it, staring at our hands.

“Happy belated birthday.” It’s the only thought that comes to mind.

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