Page 32 of There's No Us Without You
Kent sighs, his shoulders sagging as he steps back to lean against the brick wall beside the door. “You don’t have time, Eden. Your mum told me about the restaurant.”
“The restaurant?” I frown. “What are you talking about?”
“Shit.” Kent blows out a breath as he glances around at anything other than my face. “She hasn’t told you.”
A chill races over my skin, and I wrap my arms around myself to stop from shaking. “Told me what?”
Is this what she wanted to talk to me about yesterday?
Kent rubs his forehead, his eyebrows pulled in. “Maybe you should talk to Tony. I really don’t?—”
“Tell me right now, Kent. What the hell is going on?”
He darts his tongue out to wet his lips. “Fuck. Fine. Tony told your mum that if you can’t get him the money to buy the restaurant in eight weeks, he’s going to sell it to someone else.”
All the air rushes from my lungs.
“W-what? No. He . . . he can’t do that.”
I can’t breathe, the air around me growing hotter and hotter the longer I stand here.
I press a hand to my chest, my heart rate spiking, my vision blurring.
This can’t be happening.
Not now.
We had an agreement.
He fucking promised my dad the restaurant would be mine.
Shrugging, Kent searches my face, a pained expression clouding his eyes as though he actually gives a shit about me.
I blink rapidly. I’m not going to cry in front of this arsehole. I’ll save that for later when I’m asleep.
“Let me help you.” Kent steps forward again to grab my upper arms, a soft smile on his handsome face—he’s still good-looking, even if he is a cheating bastard. “Come back home. We’ll talk to your mum. I’m sure she’ll still give you the money.”
For a moment, all I can do is search his face for any sign he’s being deceitful. Although, I don’t know what that looks like on him. He’s a great liar.
When I don’t answer, Kent’s grip on my arms tightens. “Don’t you think I deserve to know where my fiancé is staying and who she’s staying with?” He glances towards the car again, his eyes narrowing before he yanks me to his chest. One arm wraps around my waist, holding me in place while he grabs my face with his free hand. “I still love you. Surely your feelings for me haven’t just gone away?”
“Kent, you’re hurting me.” I turn my head while shoving at his face to push him away. “And I’m not your fiancé. Not anymore.”
He finally frees me and throws his hands up. “And what about the deal with your mother? You’re just going to throw the restaurant away over some silly misunderstanding?”
“Misunderstanding? You’re unbelievable,” I scoff, my stomach clenching. “Besides, the restaurant is none of your damn business. Now move.” I attempt to shove past him, but he steps in front of me, blocking the doorway with his body.
Nostrils flaring, eyes cold, he stares me down. With each passing second, my heart rate spikes, and I struggle to breathe evenly, light-headedness now threatening to take me down.
I’m about to smack him—or run away—when a presence steps up behind me and a strong arm wraps around my waist. My legs almost give out, but the arm around me tightens, holding me upright.
Emerson.
“Do we have a problem here?” Emerson’s deep voice sends warmth rushing over my body, and I relax against his chest, letting him take some of my weight.
Kent snaps his head up and his eyes widen for a moment before he drops his arms to his sides. “Holy shit,” he says, a slow grin spreading over his lips. “Emerson de Silva? Wow, man, I’m a massive fan.” He thrusts a hand out towards the man behind me.
Jesus, it’s like watching a Jekyll and Hyde reincarnation.
