Page 3 of He's All In
“I really should go. There are some things I need to take care of.” I dread telling my father and what his reaction will be. There’s already fear creeping up my spine. I didn’t want to marry Paul, but he was the best out of the bunch my father shuffled through.
“Oh, honey. Don’t worry about the wedding. I’ll call everyone and let them know it’s off for the time being.”
“Yeah.” That was so not what I was thinking about. “Right, thank you,” I say to Katherine and take a step back. “I’ll get my purse and be on my way.” When I go to the sitting room to collect my things, Chloe follows after me.
“Hey.” She’s still so nice, and I hate that I can’t give her more. “I’m sorry, but this is for the best. He can get healthy and then you two can be together.”
“We’re not going to be together.” What I don’t tell her is that my father will come up with a new plan before Paul returns.
“Okay, that’s your choice, but love can?—”
“It’s not love.” A sardonic laugh bubbles from me. What Paul and I had was so far from love. “Sorry. It’s, ah, well. Never mind.” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. Thank you for all you did. I’m really sorry I wasted anyone's time.”
“You didn’t waste my time. I enjoyed our time together.”
I did too.
“Thanks,” I say again before I go to leave, but Chloe snags my hand.
“You can always call me.”
A rush of emotions fills me, and tears sting my eyes. I know she’s telling the truth because Chloe is the kind of person that would try to help anyone. But this isn’t her mess. It's become mine now, so it’s on my shoulders to handle it. I try to smile at her before I slip free and return to the front of the house.
“I’m guessing you need a lift?” Luke says when I see everyone is still standing in the entryway.
“I was going to call a ride.” Paul drove me here, so I don’t have a car. When I pull my phone out of my purse, Luke stops me.
“I’ll take you,” he insists before his hand goes to my back and he moves me along.
“No, it’s fine,” I try to protest, but he’s not having it. “Seriously I can?—”
My words are cut off when those icy blue eyes meet mine. Right then I know without a doubt that Luke is taking me home, and there’s no use arguing.
He’s a man that always gets what he wants. But don’t they all?
Chapter Two
LUKE
When I reach down to grab the passenger door handle, Kelly does it at the same time. Our hands touch briefly before she quickly jerks hers away.
“Sorry,” she mumbles but doesn’t look at me.
“Stop apologizing.” I stand there, still not opening the door because I want her to look at me. No, I need her to do it.
“What?” She blinks in my direction as her expression changes to concern.
“I think you’ve done enough of that for one day.” I wait a heartbeat and finally, finally she turns those soft brown eyes to mine. It hits me like a release and, fuck, it’s almost as good as cumming.
She doesn’t say anything as I open her door and wait for her to get in. The car is quiet after I get in and drive away from Bruce’s house. It’s not until I hand her my phone that she talks to me.
“What’s this for?”
“Put in your address.”
“Oh.” She hesitates and glances at the screen. “It’s locked.”
“Six, six, four, four, zero, zero.”