NNE'

old myself over and over like sayin

f my mirror, looking nothing like a

was far too short, c

d soft enough to pass for innocent, though there w

ssness. I'd spent nearly an hour perfecting it, running my fingers through until

I had used the expensive one, the one I saved for rare occasions,

ed a hand to my heart, as i

pered again, but my reflec

ous and guilty. And underneath

veness I hadn't felt i

en added a touch of gloss. Every small movement felt indulgent. The ki

anted to b

e thought. Eli's eyes. T

bed my clutch, and took a deep brea

air was cool enough to bite,

k car waiting at the curb kille

ed suit stood by the

clutching my purs

a curt nod. "Mr. Carter's assis

my stomach twist. For a second,

door for me and

y heart had other plans, pounding s

staurant, Aaron was already

r," he said smoothly, ope

. The ground beneath my heels felt too

t and elegant with dim

ooked like a private wing. My pulse quickened with

n, ther

he spoke in low tones. He wore a dark suit that fit him too perfectly, the fabric catchi

en he

orld stop

his sentence. The faintest smile ghosted across

ett, had ever look

resist. Like an angel who had fallen into his reach

ght, tremblin

elier brushed along his jaw, catching the edge of a smirk that wasn't rea

left his mouth li

t felt too practiced. "You could've j

pping closer. His scent re

ing my bare shoulder for only a second.

sitting down, though my b

g one hand loosely on the tab

that followe

s gaze lingered.

dn't feel because the truth was my

as quiet, but it hit me like a pu

ught the glass to my lips, taking a sip that was far too long, hop

inner," I managed, t

his eyes still locked on me

hard. "Excus

lanation should have been enough. "Without

wanted it to be, fragile. "I'm married to your brother even though he is gone... I still am and

if saying it too harshly might break me. "You don't have to say it, Ro

t. His touch. His voice. That kiss that still lingered like smoke on my

can't- don't you get it. It can never happen. You are Jett'

think I don't wake up wishing I'd

one splintering between

w. "And I don't regret it. I don't re

ips nearly undid me. I looked

whispered. "You should because I'm your brother's wife. Y

't give a fuck what anyone thinks.

cattered inside me. "I do... I care what Jennifer thinks.

y seat, grabb

a while. If this keeps happ

and just watched me with his

too quietly, he said

don't n

ising. Just as he reached me. I felt

aight