Page 87 of Burning Your Lies

“I just couldn’t work with him anymore. It was too hard with everything that has happened.”

She parks the car, but neither of us makes any move to get out. “So the rumours are true? You and him…”

I nod. “Not my finest moments.”

She takes my hand in hers. “I’m not judging you. I had my suspicions, but then you and Ray just made more sense to me, so I brushed it away.”

The weak side of me wants to ask if she still holds that same confidence in us. It’s been two weeks since our argument and things between me and him remain as broken as they were. He has successfully avoided me by spending my waking hours atwork, only returning home once he knows I have gone to bed. When he enters our bedroom to grab some clothes, I always pretend I am sleeping.

I know he’s heard my nightmare induced screams in the middle of the night. There hasn’t been a single night where Mia and Jordan haven’t tormented me in my sleep. I’ve woken drenched in sweat and fear since their deaths. Last night, Mia appeared with black holes for eyes, begging me to save her. If Huxley could stand to be in the room with me for longer than five seconds, I would tell him what’s happened.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I mean, you look absolutely gorgeous, but tired.”

Offering my only remaining genuine friend a truth, I say, “Me and Hux are going through a bit of a rough patch.”

“That explains why he looks exhausted as well. Is that why I’m your date for tonight?”

I look up at Xavier mansion and suppress the urge to shudder. I haven’t stepped inside his house since the night he got me sectioned. It would be a lie to say anxiety isn’t fluttering in my stomach.

“Yeah. I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for Elise.”

As always, Francesca doesn’t pry for information. She puts on her best smile. “Let’s drink some of his expensive wine, eat a five-star meal, and get the hell out of here.”

I mouththank youto her. My arm threads through hers as we wait for someone to open the door. My chest is rising and falling, but I need to pull myself together. It’s just a house, I reason.

I catch my reflection in the mirror and nod at her. Unlike my usual style, I’ve gone for a simple look today. My cream dress is moulded to my body, but leaves nothing on show. Having no energy to get dolled-up, I went for a minimal makeup look and lazily put my hair in a half up, half down style.

“Welcome,” Brynn says as she opens the door. “Please come in.”

We walk behind her as she leads us into the main living room, where most of the guests are already mingling. I’m too busy looking for a waiter with alcohol, so I miss what Francesca spots.

“Did you know he was going to be here?”

I don’t need to ask who she is talking about, because his stare burns through me and makes me want to crumble. Huxley has ditched his suit jacket and is nursing a crystal glass filled with a gold liquid. Thinking his stare is disguised by the crowd, his eyes scan me from head to toe, but his thoughts are unreadable.

I turn my head in the opposite direction. “I didn’t know he was going to be here.”

“He looks really sad. Maybe you should talk to him and sort it out.”

I hand her a flute of champagne, hoping it will stop her from talking. But I would rather have dealt with her than the devil walking towards me. The only reason I don’t walk away is because Elise is already stretching her arms out for me. I engulf her with a tight squeeze. “Hi, baby.”

She touches the few strands of hair that frame my face. “Pretty.”

“I’m glad you could make it, Savannah.”

I tell myself to act normal, but I can barely lift the corners of my mouth. “Xavier.”

“I see you have a different date tonight.” He turns to Francesca. “Thank you for coming to my annual Christmas lunch.”

Bound by women's code, Francesca gives him a forced smile. “A bit early for Christmas celebrations, no?”

“Myself, Brynn, and Elise are going to have a quietfamilycelebration this year.”

“Savannah was just telling me that her and Huxley were spending the holidays with his family. I guess I’m the only one spending it alone.”

A genuine smile graces my lips. “You’re more than welcome to join us. I’m sure Hadley will be happy to squeeze another person into our girls’ night.”

“What’s this about girls’ night?” Brynn, dressed in a sexy, deep red dress, comes to Xavier’s side. “I enjoy a girls’ night.”

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