Page 6 of A Convenient Secret
“And he can get even more cringey,” Cora teases him.
They fall into some sort of ridiculous sparring match, and I look around the large stone patio.
Celeste, heavily pregnant, stretches on a lounger while Caleb dotes on her like he always does.
Cormac’s arms are wrapped around Saar, and he’s whispering something to her while her face lights up.
The twins are by their father, Declan, the fourth partner at Merged. He’s talking to Zoya, and there is a tiny smile on his face.
He’s wearing a light blue polo shirt and navy slacks. His dark hair is slightly longer on the top, styled back. He’s lean but muscular, with a trim waist, broad shoulders and strong legs.
And I should not be noticing these details about him.
His collar is open, and when he turns, I get a glimpse of his collarbone. Just a suggestion of a protruding bone and the dip around it. Who knew collarbones were sexy?
If it wasn’t for the usual scowl on his face, he would be handsome. Who am I kidding? He’s ridiculously attractive, even with that glower. Gorgeous.
The man has an aura of mystery around him. Like he doesn’t want the world to really see him. And when they try, he scares them away quickly with his arrogant scrutiny.
We have that in common. The need to repel attention, not the scowl. I have yet to learn how to be or look mean. I lean into smiles and giggles when faced with something I want to avoid.
I understand this intense need for privacy. I wonder what he’s hiding from. A person? A feeling? A danger?
“You’re not drinking, Lils.” Cora bumps her hip against mine, and the wine spills over my hand. “Oops, sorry.”
“Here you go.” Xander snatches some napkins and dabs my hand.
“Looks like I need to drink faster.” I laugh, and before I turn, so Declan is out of my sphere of vision, I glance at him one last time.
Our gazes collide before I whip around, my heartracing. Of course he was looking; I just spilled wine. People look when you do something klutzy.
And yet his attention, however brief or coincidental, makes me feel all hot.
I wish he wasn’t here. I never know how to behave around him. Not that I met him more than that one time.
I wish he didn’t belong to this circle. Not that he knows I even exist.
Which is a good thing, because if he tried to speak to me, I’d probably make a fool of myself.
And he might recognize my voice. Just like I’d recognize his anywhere.
His voice.
Chapter 2
Lily
Celeste
I’m still pregnant. (crying emoji)
Saar
Which means you can sleep.
Celeste
Try to sleep when you can’t even move.
