Page 79 of Forged in Flames (Made of Steel 2)

The small hairs on the back of my neck seemed to rise.

For two seconds.

He can't be here.

For three seconds.

Eli's arm tightened around my shoulders.

For four seconds.

It felt like my lungs were going to explode as panic rose to my throat.

For five seconds.

We both turned around, but there was nothing there. I let go of the breath I had been holding and Eli gently rubbed my back. I knew he had been thinking the same thing.

"What are you talking about, babe?" Patrick said and picked his menu back up.

Kins put her hand on his menu, pushing it back down onto the table. "It's James Hunter," she squealed and pointed to a table behind us.

I looked over my shoulder at a couple seated a few tables away from us. Sure enough, the handsome billionaire was seated with his wife. They were laughing about something. The woman placed her hands on her large pregnant stomach and shook her head animatedly. I wasn't sure why, but I imagined they were discussing names for their unborn child. Something seemed to constrict in my chest. I immediately turned away. No wonder everyone wanted to do their psychology projects about him. His life seemed so perfect.

"God, he's even sexier in person," Kins said. She placed her chin in her hand and blatantly stared at him. "I mean, look at him.

"

"He's okay," Patrick said. "You should probably stop staring at them, though, it's rude."

"Are you kidding?" Kins slapped his arm. "He's like sex on a stick. I can't not stare at him."

Patrick frowned. "How would you feel if I said his wife was hot?"

Kins scrunched up her nose. "She's pregnant."

"That doesn't mean she isn't hot. And I've seen pictures of her before she got pregnant. She's gorgeous."

Kins slapped his arm harder this time. "Yeah, I wouldn't like it. Stop checking her out."

Patrick smiled to himself as he picked his menu back up. Maybe he thought their conversation was a victory for him. I wondered what he'd think if he knew the way Kins talked about Eli all the time.

Eli tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I glanced over at him. It was like he could sense my discomfort. The small gesture made me smile. It made me feel less broken. He made me feel light even though I knew darkness was creeping into my soul.

"Let's play truth or dare," Kins said.

I shook my head. "You just want someone to dare you to go talk to James Hunter."

Eli and Patrick both laughed.

"I do not," Kins said and picked her menu back up. But she winked at me over the top of it.

I glanced back over my shoulder at the happy couple. And in that moment, I knew for sure that I'd never have that. I could already feel myself disappearing.

***

"Do you ladies want to head back to our place?" Patrick asked as he grabbed Kins' hand.

"Actually, we were going to take a walk. Right, Sadie?" Eli glanced down at me, waiting for me to say yes.

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