Page 62 of Tangled In Lies

Yes, it’s okay. I can’t change what happened. All I can do is apologize and move forward.

You won’t get to your future if you’re stuck in the past.

I’ve got this. The good thing is when you’re at the bottom, there’s only one way to go. And up, up, up we go.

My gaze snatches on the couch and the rumpled blankets. Didn’t I fold them up yesterday before the gala?

I stretch, checking that heavy feeling in my bones like they’re filled with lead. It takes me a good minute to get my phone from the nightstand, and I groan at the multitude of messages and notifications. At least my hand feelsmostly okay, just a small pinch under the bandage when I use it.

I click on my group chat with Ruby and Mason first, but there’s a knock on the door before I can read them.

Not having the energy to move a muscle right now, I shout, “Yes?”

“Are you decent?”

Holden.

I glance down to double-check and yell, “Yes,” again.

The door opens, and Holden walks in. His gaze roams over me. “Hey. How are you feeling?”

What a loaded question. “Okay, I guess.”

He walks in and leans against the wall. “Okay?”

I shrug. “A mixture of what I imagine it feels like when you get drunk right after you get hit by a truck.”

The corners of his mouth twitch. “Sounds like you’ve given this some serious thought.”

I can’t help but smirk. “Maybe?”

Why is this guy so likable? I can’t forget he’s Phoenix’s friend and right-hand man who might chuck me out of a speeding car if given the order.

He nods toward the phone in my hand. “Has Phoenix gotten a hold of you yet?”

I frown. “Phoenix?”

Holden nods. “Yeah. He said he was going to call you, but he might not have had a chance to do so yet. He left for the city this morning to take care of some business and will likely stay there for a few days.”

“Oh.” I drop my gaze to my hands, certain I imagine the tightness in my chest at the news.

I am not sad Phoenix isn’t here.

Nope.

Not happening.

Remembering Holden is still here, I glance back up. Of course, he’s already studying me. I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised if this man told me he could read my thoughts. “Well, thanks for letting me know.”

“You bet.”

I might imagine it, but he looks too smug for my taste.

“The doc said you need lots of rest, so I thought we could camp out in the movie room and watch something.”

I blink at him, completely dumbfounded.

After several beats of silence, I finally manage to say, “You want to watch a movie with me?”

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