Page 145 of As the Rain Falls
Besides, what a weird man.There’s something about Nathaniel Rivera that makes me really uncomfortable. It’s his eyes and his posture, I guess. Something about the way he carries himself feels… too dark. I don’t like to point it out loud because everybody else will think I’m crazy. The only other person who might’ve understood what I feel about him was Lucia; she did not like Nathaniel at all.
Even though she’s passed away, I still feel like siding with my sister no matter what. Lucia wasn’t unreasonable about these things. His eyes follow me as I weave through the crowd, greeting familiar faces. In fact, the burn of his stare doesn’t leave me at all, not even after I reach Cassandra and Kayla.
Whatever, I’m probably overthinking this.
It can’t be that serious.
“Look who we have here,” Kayla gasps dramatically. “Damn, Evans, you clean up well.”
She flashes me a grin, pinching Cassandra’s arm so she’ll turn around.
“Look at him!”
I glance at my tuxedo, unimpressed. Men’s clothing is boring, and I don’t think there’s anything interesting about what I’m wearing today.
“No better than you, Saint-Louis,” I compliment her, motioning awkwardly to her long pink dress.
Cassandra turns around, light hair spilling down her back like a curtain. Her signature scent hits me right in the face, sugary sweet and delicate. I can’t help but pull her into a hug, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek as I bump my fist against Kayla’s in greeting.
“Can I steal her from you for a second?” I rest my arm around her waist, keeping her close. She rests her head against my chest, mindlessly playing with the chain around my neck. “She’s always so busy, I don’t get to see her very often.”
“Yeah, don’t feel special. I don’t get to see her much either.” Kayla plays into it, crossing her arms over her chest. “How long before I get her back?”
“I don’t know; I might change my mind and just keep her forever.” I grin, glancing down. Cassandra’s gaze locks with mine, and I smirk victoriously, watching the girl in my arms blush. “But I can promise to try to give her back before the night’s over for now.”
Kayla’s smile widens, surprise showing in her face.
“Alright, cuties. I’m going to grab another plate of appetizers.” She motions to the buffer. “These things are freakishly tiny, aren’t they?”
I nod solemnly, pointing one finger at her.
“That’s what I keep saying!”
Kayla points right back at me. “You get it!”
“I do!”
“You two are so stupid.” Cassandra blinks between us, her eyes going round. “What’s going on? You’re acting all charming for what?”
“Nothing.” I find myself touching her elbow, bringing her face closer. “Just greeting you.”
“Right,” she hesitates, her nervous gaze sliding back to our table. “My brother is sitting right there, you know?”
“Oh, I know.”
He isthatkind of brother.
A complete possessive idiot.
Nathaniel’s glare might as well be practically burning a hole right through my back. I’m not scared of him, though.Let him get pissed. He doesn’t get to dictate whether I get close to Cassandra or not. She’smyfriend.
“He’s watchingus.” Cassandra emphasizes, as if urging me to see things through her eyes.
“Cass.” I sigh. “Is it really such a problem?”
Her head snaps back to me, lips parting. It’s so fast that I would’ve completely missed the look of terror in her face. For a second, I get the feeling that she might be scared of him, but the thought doesn’t make any sense unless...
No.
