Page 13 of Vengeful Secret

I’ve got to get the hell out of here before the cosmopolitans in my blood convince me it’s a good idea to talk to Gray Burke again.

4

GRAY

Sutton comesout of the bathroom without her friend and bolts toward the back door.

I bite my lip, wondering if she’s leaving for good, trying to avoid me.

She’s been glancing over at me all night, making me think that maybe she just might come over.

My heart races, and I’m not sure what I even want her to do. Do I want her to come over? Do I want her to stay away?

I’d been real with her friend, told her that I was only interested in Sutton, and the friend hadn’t asked any questions, just smiled.

“As you should,” she said. “She's the best of all of us."

Sutton seems to have good friends, and I’m glad for her.

I shouldn’t go up to her, try to chase her. I shouldn’t even have sent over those free drinks or paid their tab. I’m probably bothering her while she’s having a night out.

But I’m socuriousas to what she’s up to now, if she still thinks of me like I still think of her. It’s been five years, and I still can’t get her off my mind.

I asked for a distraction, didn’t I? The universe plopped one down in my lap. Who am I to ignore it?

“You look like you’re about to make whiskey-influenced choices.” Nessa smirks at me.

“I don’t think it’s the whiskey.”

“What is it, then?”

“Maybe just stupidity.” I give her a sheepish grin, and she smiles.

“You know, Gray, if I weren’t married?—”

“I know, you’d run away with me.” I’m almost giddy, and I don’t think it’s the alcohol. I think it’s seeing Sutton again, the possibility of talking to her, maybe even kissing her.

Wait.

No. I’m not going to pull her back into this lifestyle. Besides, she left before. Why would it be different this time?

Nessa already has my card to pay for the girls’ tab, so I stand up and head out the back door just as Sutton exits it.

The night air hits me in the face, surprisingly cold, and I’m glad I thought to wear a jacket.

Sutton, on the other hand, is shivering at the corner, scrolling through her phone and frowning.

I walk up behind her and take off my jacket, draping it around her shoulders.

She turns slowly, looking up at me.

“Gray,” she breathes, and I’m not sure if it's excitement or annoyance in her voice.

Looking down at her now, seeing her like this, her blue-gray eyes wide, I can’t deny that she’s not just a distraction. She’s so much more.

I’ve thought about her all the time, every day for five years, and now I’m second-guessing myself.

“Gotta go,” she mutters, and takes off my jacket, thrusting it back into my arms. She starts to walk across the street.

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