Page 64 of Stolen Seconds

“Where have you been?” My best friend's concerned voice echoed in the space.

“What do you mean?” I asked, washing my hair in hopes of avoiding further conversation.

“You didn’t come home last night, and Gianna saw you come in this morning.”

Shit.

“Didn’t know Gianna was a gossiper,” I muttered.

“Are you being serious?”

I shrugged. The conversation was taking a turn for the worse, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself from instigating it.

What did it matter, anyway? Aurora would hate me after what I’d plan on doing.

I shut the water off and wrapped a towel around myself before stepping out to stand in front of her.

Her eyes widened as concern swept across her features. “What the hell, Rina? Your face!”

My heart dropped; I’d completely forgotten about the cuts.

“What happened?”

“I fell off my bike.”

Aurora’s eyes turned a deep shade of green as she narrowed them at me. “Really?”

“Yes,really.” The harder she stared at me; the stronger fury slithered its way up my spine. “What’s with the tone?”

“You were out all night. . . ” She paused, her head tilting in suspicion. “Why are you being so defensive?”

The air grew tense, and anger brimmed to the surface as we stared at each other with irritation. It was too much. With leaving Luca and Aurora’s questioning, I couldn’t take it.

“You’re overbearing!” I waved my hand in exasperation. “You come in here while I’m naked—might I add—and interrogate me?”

Hurt flashed across her face. “Is that what you think?”

The gaping hole in my chest leaked with pain. My silence was enough of an answer.

“Sorry I give a shit about your whereabouts in a foreign country,” she spat out.

“Save the motherly concern for your child.”

She stumbled back, her mouth parting as her brows pinched in shock.

I’d gone too far. I regretted the words as soon as they fell from my mouth. “Wait, Aurora, I didn’t mean that.” I grabbed her wrist when she attempted to leave.

Her face flashed with hurt, eyes full of love, and it killed me. “I worry about you.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” Leaning down, I placed a kiss onher baby bump, emotion surging up my throat. “You don’t need to worry about me. I promise I’m okay.”

I didn’t know how to fix something that was meant to be broken, anyway.

Chapter 18

Luca

The inhale of smoke was welcoming as it eased down my throat.

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