Page 43 of The Girl I Once Loved

“The fireworks display should be starting any minute now. Do you have to stay here and tend to the booth, or can we all go to the pier together and watch? As a family?” Clara asks, her gaze discreetly searching for her youngest daughter’s approval.

But when Sky doesn’t so much as look her way, Clara lowers her head to hide her pained expression.

“Sounds like a plan to me. Give us two secs,” Derrick says, going back to help Sky with the remaining customers so he can close up shop.

Ten minutes later, the six of us start walking towards the beach, but due to the large crowd that is also heading in the same direction, we split up to walk in pairs. My father and Clara lead us in front, followed by Daisy and Derrick behind them, leaving a disgruntled Sky to walk side by side with me.

Since Sky is determined not to acknowledge my presence, we walk in utter silence, as she pretends to look every which way but at me. Usually that type of stunt would piss me off, but tonight, I’m actually grateful for the reprieve. I’m not sure I could handle striking up a conversation, even one meant only to provoke her, when the back of our hands keep softly brushing against each other, as if they have a mind of their own and desperately need the connection. Every light touch feels like I’m being struck by lightning, making my heart thrum madly in its ribcage, threatening to break every bone in my body just to break free.

I sneak a quick glance over to her, my foolish heart desperate to see if she’s having a similar reaction, only to find her cheeks painted pink and her lips parted for breath. I watch her squint with every light graze, as if my touch is as torturous to her as it is to me.

Instinct, more than bravery kicks in, when I find myself inching closer to her side so that my fingers can lightly caress hers at will. They run up the smooth slope of her arm, and then slowly back down again, leaving a thread of goosebumps in their wake. Eyes hooded, she lets me swirl the pad of my thumb on the inside of her wrist, my own breath hitching at how smooth and perfectly flawless that tiny bit of skin is.

It takes her a few seconds to remember herself.

Remember how she should despise my touch.

Sky’s eyes widen in fabricated appalled shock, her gorgeous lips slinging open, ready to curse me out. But all it takes is for me to lace my fingers through hers and give her a little tug until she’s almost on top of me to shut her up.

“You don’t want to make a scene, now do you, little stalker?” I whisper in her ear, loving how her entire body shudders up against me.

“Let. Me. Go,” she says, low enough for Daisy and Derrick not to hear.

Not that they could. The rambunctious crowd around us is loud enough to keep our little conversation private. A fact I fully intend to exploit.

“And why would I ever do that?” I smile triumphantly.

“I swear to God, Noah, if you don’t let me go this second, I’ll scream,” she threatens through gritted teeth.

But instead of taking her on her word, I snake my arm around her waist, keeping my hand firmly on her hip.

“Then scream,” I whisper, my eyes locked on hers as my thumb grazes the sliver of skin hidden under her shirt.

Her silver gaze turns liquid fire, and if she could, I’m sure she’d happily drown me with it. I’m tempted to lean in closer, just to test its scalding waters. To feel the burn of her hate pull me under into those gray pools she has for eyes. But all too soon that option is taken from me, when some spectator from today’s race grabs me by the shoulder to congratulate me, successfully releasing Sky from my iron grip.

Sky quickly takes advantage of the mishap and all but runs to her sister, latching on to her arm for protection. Derrick takes a step back to give the two girls a moment, eyeing me suspiciously as he falls in step with my strides.

“Little rusty, are we?” He cocks a knowing brow.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Right, sure you don’t.” He chuckles. “Just remember, don’t do anything to fuck up—”

“Your wedding,” I finish for him with a deep-rooted scowl.

“Exactly. Glad to see we’re still in sync.” He grins, patting me on my back.

“Hmm,” I groan, my gaze never leaving the back of Sky’s head.

Okay, maybe once or twice my eyes do leave her head just so I can watch her mouthwatering ass sashay in her shorts as she strolls down the busy street, but give a guy a break. I’m only human.

“Hey,” Derrick mumbles beside me, pulling my attention off the amazing view. “You know that if you ever want to go solo, you don’t need my permission, right? I mean, I’m more than happy to use my name and wallet to open doors for you, but you won’t need any of that once you win the Grand Prix. If after this summer, you want to do your own thing without me, I’m good with that. You know that, right?”

“I see my father has gotten into your head.” I chuckle, happy that I’m not the only one suffering tonight.

“Yeah, well, your dad has a point. At least from his perspective, he does. I get where he’s coming from,” he frowns pensively. “He’s just trying to look out for your best interests.”

“Jesus, what has gotten into you lately? Every time I talk to you, I feel like I’m being pulled into a John Hughes movie.”

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