Page 68 of Prove You Wrong

He looks pained. His hands cup my face again, kissing me softly this time. He sighs, ‘Nothing ever happened with Angel. Or Dee. Or anyone here.’

‘But … ’ I swallow. I’m not the jealous type but seeing Nate in his natural habitat, revered, surrounded by beauty and temptation, I can’t quite believe it.

‘I won’t lie. I’ve got a past, but not one we’re going to come across here.’

‘How can you be so sure?’ I scan the heaving room.

‘I made sure I never got with someone I might bump into again.’ He shrugs. ‘Made sure they were from out of town, passing through.’

I ponder that. ‘How come?’

‘I was never in the market for a relationship before.’ His touch starts to meander over my shoulders and down my arms as he talks. ‘I wasn’t interested in dating and I certainly didn’t want the awkward encounters days later with the why-didn’t-you-calls and hurt feelings.’

‘But now?’ It comes out as a whisper.

‘Now? I don’t know.’ His eyes are wide. Earnest. ‘I just keep praying I will see you again.’ His large hands circle my waist, drawing me right in.

The warmth rekindles inside me, but I’m still a little confused. ‘So, what was Liam saying?’

‘Ha!’ He shakes his head with a laugh of disbelief. ‘I walked in on Angel and Liam boning in the back once. She was riding him, using a couple pairs of ice tongs to clamp his nipples, with a lemon shoved in his mouth. Scarred me for life.’ He grimaces. ‘It was the final push I needed to stop me from coming here and screwing around.’

‘Jeez, you wouldn’t want to do tequila slammers after that.’ I wince.‘God knows where the ingredients might have been.’

‘Exactly.’ He nods, eyes wide.

‘No wonder you looked so appalled when Liam brought it up. I thought you had something to hide.’

‘I’ve not got anything to hide from you.’ His tone turns softly serious. ‘I can’t change my past. But I’m choosing a different future.’ He tightens his grip on my hips.

As I melt into his arms, his lips, Josie’s voice breaks into the moment. ‘Ella?’

Instinctively, I pull away. ‘Josie?’

Almost unrecognisable, her usually happy face is tear stained. Frowning. Confused. Maybe cross.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘I told you I’d come and get you. Seems like you reconciled. You don’t need me.’ Her glare swaps over to Nate before burning back onto me again.

‘I’m sorry. When did we — ’ I shake my head. I swear I haven’t had that much to drink.

‘I told you on the phone, before you got cut off.’

My eyes widen. Shit. ‘I didn’t hear you say –– ’

Josie’s scowl deepens before her face contorts and tears leak down her cheeks. ‘Sorry. It’s been a rough night. I fucked up and now I’ve come here and fucked up with you, too.’

I rush to smother her in a hug. ‘No you haven’t.’ I try to soothe her with gentle sounds as I rub her back. ‘What’s happened?’

She raises her head, my neck now sticky and wet from her tears. ‘I don’t know where to begin. I don’t want to ruin your night. I’ll go.’

Josie turns and walks away.

I call after her, take a step forward and then turn back to Nate, my feet still inching towards Josie.

‘Go!’ he calls.

Chapter 21

---