Page 73 of The Bourbon Bet
I touch her elbow. “Is everything okay?”
She startles. “Yeah, I just...” Her gaze searches my face. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
My heart stumbles. Could this be it? Is she going to admit her deal with Thorne?
“What is it?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.
A bird calls to another nearby, and Rosalia looks in the direction, twisting her fingers together in front of her. “I haven’t been entirely honest with you,” she begins, her voice trembling slightly. “The truth is, I...”
She falters, her gaze dropping to the ground. I stand motionless, my entire body tense. Just say it, I silently urge her.
But she shakes her head, a rueful laugh escaping her. “You know what? It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.”
She quickens her pace, moving ahead of me on the trail. I stare after her, disappointment and frustration warring in my chest. She'd been so close. So damn close to telling me.
But what would I say if she had? That I made a bet to help her? She doesn't need to know I had to play games to protect her. What matters is that it’s working.
I jog the few steps to catch up with her, falling into step beside her. “Rosalia,” I say, infusing sincerity and understanding into my voice. “If there’s something you need to tell me, I’m listening. Always.”
There’s a flicker of guilt in her eyes, but she shakes her head. “Really, it’s nothing.”
I bite back a sigh, my jaw tight. “Okay.”
It isn’t fair to push her, not when I have my secrets, my own stupid fucking bet with Thorne. I have to believe we can fix the mess my brother has started because, despite everything, despite the secrets and the lies, I’m falling for Rosalia. Deeper and harder every day.
And when the truth finally comes out? I can only hope that what we had will be strong enough to weather the storm the three of us have created.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rosalia
Sebastian pulls his truck into the alley behind Novel Idea. My gaze travels the path of the metal stairs to my apartment. A sudden emptiness fills me. Our afternoon has passed much too quickly.
“Do you have time to come inside and eat? Or should I grab your food to go?” I blurt, my questions spilling from me in a single breath.
“I’m not in a hurry,” he says, switching off the engine.
I smile. “Okay. Then let’s eat.”
The driver-side handle clicks and Sebastian is out of the truck and around to my side, opening the door in a few seconds. He offers his hand, helping me out. I don’t let go right away, reluctant to break the contact and lose the comfort of his touch.
We walk slowly across the narrow alley, gravel crunching beneath our feet. The late afternoon sun filters through the buildings, casting long shadows that seem to wrap around us like a private cocoon. Sebastian's thumb traces gentle circles across my knuckles, and I match his unhurried pace, both of us seemingly reluctant to end this perfect day.
“I still can’t believe we saw that hawk circling right over the bridge,” I say as we reach the base of the metal stairs.
“Almost like it was showing off for us,” he agrees, smiling and popping that sexy dimple.
“The whole day felt like that,” I admit softly. “Just... perfect.”
His fingers brush a strand of hair from my face, his expression warm. “It really was.”
My breath catches at his touch. We linger here, neither of us moving toward my apartment. Then voices drift into our quiet cocoon, followed by a group of tourists turning down the alley, their animated chatter growing louder as they approach.
“We should probably…” I point toward the stairs.
“Yeah,” he agrees. His thumb traces one more gentle circle across my knuckles before he lets go.
We climb the metal stairs together, his hand finding the small of my back, both of us stealing glances over our shoulders as the group passes below. They wave and we return the gesture.
