Page 60 of Lust
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Where was she?
After leaving Michael’s office, I had driven straight to the shelter, his words ringing in my ears. Sara was nowhere to be found. She wasn’t in her office or in any of the usual classrooms. Then I remembered the project in the basement she planned to take on.
As I shifted gears, children’s laughter drifted from afar in the otherwise empty hallways. My steps were rushed, making their way through the doors leading to the basement. I felt restless.
Why had I gone to Michael in hopes for advice to lure Sara? All he had done was sprinkle doubt.
Tobias and Sarah felt a pull toward one another that was as unexplainable as it was undeniable.
Lava had churned inside my stomach.
No. It was over between them. If she tried to go back to him by leaving me behind, I’d take her down with me. I’d do anything to avoid spending the rest of my days alone.
The overwhelming possibility was raw on my mind, invoking an urgent need to see her face.
But when I reached the abandoned floor and turned the corner of the hallway, my vision blurred from the blood rushing to my head. Two lone figures stood in an intimate huddle, and for several moments, I could do nothing more than watch Sara and Tobias whisper in low voices.
My mind had already gone to a dark place. A voice had whispered in my ears, promising the possibility that Sara would never have me because her heart belonged to another. And while Michael’s story might have annoyed the shit out of me, I now wondered for the umpteenth time if he had any insight that I may be unaware of and had known exactly what’s between them from the beginning.
My worst fears had come to life, and the only color I saw was red.
Tobias tracked me down to the same basement we had first met. It seemed like a lifetime ago, and I was a different person then. Life had turned complicated since, but one detail had been made certain for me throughout the various ordeals.
I didn’t love Tobias.
“Sara,” he greeted me in a low voice, concern etched on his beautiful dark features.
I deserved his full wrath, but I couldn’t digest his kindness. I managed to return a curt nod.
“How are you?”
“Fine,” I said with a forced smile.
“You don’t seem fine. You haven’t returned any of my calls or texts…” His voice trailed off, fingers drifting over my forehead. With brows drawn together, his eyes narrowed with anger. “What the fuck. How did you get that bruise?”
I realized a little too late that the bruise from that awful night had persisted. Why did I forego makeup this morning?
“I knew something was wrong,” he said with urgency. “This isn’t like you, Sara. You wouldn’t have dropped off the face of earth unless something bad happened. Are you in trouble? Talk to me, Princess.”
My heart shattered at the tender nickname I no longer deserved. And before I could say more, another figure emerged from the shadows.
Of course, Tristan found me at the exact moment Tobias had done the same. His steps appeared frenzied, yet he was perfectly manicured in a light blue button-down shirt with gray slacks. The attire didn’t match the flared amber orbs, confirming that he had heard Tobias’ endearing reference.
“Tris?”
Angry, accusatory eyes stared back; the promise of retribution written in them. His stern expression made me want to disappear into thin air.
Instead of acknowledging me, he chose to goad the male competition standing in front. “Toby,” he said, knowing full well that his name was Tobias. “What a pleasant surprise to find you here.”
Luckily, Tobias didn’t take the bait, focused solely on my welfare. “Sara, tell me what’s going on. I can help.”
Tristan stepped in front of me, blocking me from Tobias’ view. “We don’t need your help,” he snapped.
“I believe I was speaking to yoursister,” Tobias retorted.
Male testosterone pulsated in the air, and I interfered to subdue some of the escalating tension. “Tobias, really, don’t worry about me,” I said over Tristan’s shoulder.
