Page 32 of Wild Tangled Hearts

My heart keeps beating that wild rhythm:Damien, Damien, Damien. This man is way too easy to fall for. And I’m enjoying every minute of the fall.

As we navigate through the art stalls and food vendors, a glint of designer elegance catches my eye from a distance. I recognize the tall, captivating figure by his profile alone. A strong, chiseled jaw covered in dark scruff, hair meticulously combed, and dark, intelligent eyes that hold an allure of their own.

Sebastian.

He’s engrossed in studying a piece of art at one of the vendor stations, his presence exuding a magnetic charm that captures the attention of those around him.

I find myself momentarily captivated by the sight, watching him with a sense of intrigue. He appears to be in his element, appreciating the intricate details of a sculpture he's engrossed in.

But as Damien and I continue to walk, I lose sight of him, and a small part of me asks,what if?

“Everything okay?” Damien inquires, gently twirling me around to face him, his strong arms enveloping my waist. “You seemed a bit lost there for a moment.”

I shift my attention to Damien, attempting to push aside the fluttering butterflies that Sebastian’s brief appearance stirred within me. “Nothing,” I respond casually. “Just thought I saw someone I knew.”

Reader’s Choice:

What should Bella do next?

Time to turn up the heat and take the relationship to the next level. Turn to this page.

End the night with a kiss and agree to meet his mom and Lexi on the next date. Turn to this page.

Chapter13

Kavya

A CANDID CONVERSATION

Iwoke up this morning with a sense of resolve. I’ve decided to meet up with my friend Kavya for coffee at The Artful Bean and share with her the confusing and unsettling texts I saw on Damien's phone.

Kavya and I have been friends since college, and I trust her advice and wisdom. With her remarkable talent for decoding love, I swear she’s somehow made a secret pact with Cupid himself.

While my own love life resembles a comedy of errors, her love life resembles a well-scripted rom-com, complete with plot twists and her perfect happy ending.

Sitting alone in a cozy corner of the coffee shop, waiting for Kavya to arrive, I fidget with my cup. The swirling thoughts of Damien create a whirlwind of emotions.

Damien, the very embodiment of irresistible charm, plays like a movie before my eyes. His crooked smile, those captivating frosty eyes that have a way of thawing my soul, and those abs...oh, those abs.

Yet, amidst all his heart-throbbing allure, a cacophony of warning bells rings loud and clear. The red flags, particularly those alarming text messages, wave like a bullfighter's cape in a fiery bullring.

“Bella!” Kavya walks in with a bright smile, dark brown eyes lighting up when she sees me. She's warm and empathetic; I know she'll lend a sympathetic ear.

"I’m so glad you texted; it’s been way too long,” she exclaims, reaching out to hug me. “How have you been?"

I return her hug and offer a small smile. "I've been good. How about you?"

Our conversation flows effortlessly as Kavya and I catch up on the latest chapters of our lives. We delve into the intricate tapestry of work, hobbies, and recent adventures, savoring each anecdote like a sweet sip of our steaming coffee. Ever the storyteller, Kavya regales me with tales of her swoonworthy husband, Darius.

As she speaks about their exciting plans to build a new house near the school she works at and close to Darius's residency at the hospital, it's evident that their life together is idyllic. With each detail she shares, it becomes apparent that Kavya has not only mastered the art of deciphering love but has also crafted a perfect love story of her own.

After a lull in the conversation, I take a deep breath and decide it's time to share what's been bothering me. "You know how I mentioned that I’m seeing this new guy. I’m just not sure if I should continue with him or not."

Kavya leans in, her expression filled with curiosity and concern. "From what you said about him, it’s definitely not because you don’t find him attractive. So what is it?"

I begin to recount the events of my second date with Damien, including when I saw the messages on his phone from someone named Stacey and Lexi. As I speak, I can't help but feel a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.

Kavya listens attentively, her brow furrowing as I finish recounting the events. She takes a sip of her coffee before speaking, choosing her words carefully.

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