Page 41 of Grateful Hearts

The drinks, though. Chantel’s bladder was starting to complain loudly. She waited for Zach to take his next shot, then turned toward the hallway that led to the bathrooms. But she didn’t get far before she felt a gentle tug on her arm.

“Whoa, hold up,” Zach said, laughing as he pulled her back.

She giggled, leaning against him. “I’m just going to the bathroom, Zach. My bladder is about to burst. If I don’t go now, there might be a whole new kind of disaster in this pool hall.”

He grinned, his gray eyes dancing with amusement. “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” He leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear. “I’ll walk with you.”

She looked at him, raising a playful eyebrow. “What, you don’t trust me to make it to the ladies’ room on my own? I’m pretty sure I’ve got this,” she teased, rolling her eyes dramatically.

“Oh, I trust you,” he said, his grin widening. “I just don’t trust men like Johnny. And you’ve gained quite a bit of attention tonight.” His hand lingered on her lower back as he guided her down the dim hallway.

The moment they were out of view from the rest of the group, he gently tugged her back, pulling her close. She felt her back press against the wall as he leaned in, caging her in with his arms on either side of her. His face was so close to hers that she could see the tiny flecks of black in his gray eyes.

His voice was low and smooth, tinged with a slight buzz from the drinks but full of intent. “Do you have any idea how badly I’ve been dying to kiss you again?” he whispered, his breath warm against her cheek.

Chantel’s heart skipped a beat, and without overthinking, she rose up on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his lips to hers.This wasn’t like their earlier stolen kiss in the pantry. No, this kiss was deep, hungry, and intense, as if both of them were trying to convey everything they’d been feeling in the span of a heartbeat. Her fingers slid through his hair, pulling him even closer as their bodies pressed together. She could feel his hands at her waist, gripping her as if he never wanted to let go.

His lips were warm and insistent, moving against hers with an urgency that sent a spark through her, lighting her up from head to toe. She felt her pulse racing, her breaths coming quicker as he pulled her tighter, deepening the kiss. It was like the worldaround them disappeared, and it was just them, locked in this moment.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless. Zach rested his forehead against hers, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. “What am I gonna do with you, Chantel?” he murmured, his voice low, tinged with a rough edge she’d never heard before.

She opened her eyes, catching the conflict flickering in his gaze. His words had two meanings—one was playful, teasing. But beneath that, she felt something else, like a hint of hesitation, as if he wasn’t sure if this was something he should let himself want. And in that second, she felt a pang deep inside, like he was already pulling away, even after everything they’d just shared.

But she didn’t want to dwell on it, not right now. Not when everything felt so raw and vulnerable. She gave him a quick, shy smile and lightly touched his arm. “I really do need to get to the bathroom,” she said softly, trying to lighten the mood. Then, before he could say anything else, she slipped out of his arms and walked toward the bathroom, each step feeling harder than the last.

As she walked away, she felt a strange ache settle in her chest. For the first time, she let herself wonder if maybe she was getting in too deep. She barely knew what her future held, much less Zach’s.

???

Chantel felt the faint buzz of alcohol warming her as she made her way to the restroom.

When Zach had whispered in her ear, telling her he wanted to kiss her again, it had sent a spark down her spine, cutting rightthrough the tipsiness. She’d laughed it off, giving him a playful push, but her heart wasn’t laughing. It was racing.

Inside the restroom, Chantel steadied herself, letting out a deep breath as she washed her hands. The reflection staring back at her in the mirror was one she hadn’t seen in a long time—a woman with something hopeful glimmering in her eyes. That was the dangerous part.

With Mario’s betrayal, she’d sworn to protect herself, never to let anyone in who could tear her apart.

But Zach wasn’t just some guy. He was, well, something more.

She stepped out of the restroom, a soft smile lingering on her lips, but it vanished when she spotted Zach down the hallway. He was holding hands with a woman she hadn’t seen before—she had striking red hair, her laughter echoing softly in the narrow hall. Chantel’s heart sank as Zach led her out the side exit, and something in her stomach twisted painfully, an all-too-familiar feeling clawing its way up from the pit of her chest.

She felt paralyzed as she watched them disappear out the door. Every instinct told her to leave it alone, to walk away. But her feet moved on their own, drawing her closer until she was peeking through the small window in the door, her breath held as if releasing it would shatter her.

There they stood, close, hands still entwined. And then, as if in slow motion, she saw Zach lean in, his face tilting towards the woman’s.

Chantel’s vision blurred, her heart shattering into a hundred jagged pieces. She turned away, bile rising in her throat that had nothing to do with the drinks she’d had.

How could she be so stupid, thinking even for a second that there could be something real between her and Zach? Fighting back tears, she forced herself to take a deep breath. She wouldn’t give in to the ache squeezing her chest, not here.

With slow, steadying steps, Chantel made her way back to the main area, where her friends sat around the table. The laughter and noise seemed distant as if she were trapped in a bubble of her own misery. She forced a tight smile, praying no one noticed the sheen in her eyes or the way her hands shook slightly. But as she took her seat, Clover’s gaze fell on her with a concerned frown.

“Chantel, are you okay?” Clover’s voice was gentle, a soft hand reaching for her arm.

She nodded, somehow keeping her voice level. “I’m fine. Just… not feeling great. I think I’m going to head back to the house.”

Clover’s frown deepened, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Chantel quickly shook her head. “Really, don’t worry about me. Stay and enjoy the night. I’ll just call an Uber.”

Clover hesitated, worry evident in her eyes. Just as Chantel turned to leave, Clover stopped her. “Wait. Where’s Zach? Does he know you’re leaving?”

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