Page 23 of His Dark Pull
The harbor, with its shimmering water and bobbing boats, comes into view as I round the corner onto Pier Street. Seagulls soar overhead while fishing boats gently sway with the rhythm of the tide.
I spot Sarah at a small table outside’ The Rusty Anchor,’ a bar known for its strong drinks and lively atmosphere.
The place fits Sarah’s personality.
Even amidst the laughter and clinking glasses spilling out from the open doorway, her energy stands out – her fiery red hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall of flames, her bright green eyes sparkling with life, and her signature red lipstick a bold statement against her pale skin.
“Girl, you look like you tangled with a hurricane and lost! Spill it – what’s going on?” she asks, her smile bright enough to chase away the gloom of the harbor at dusk.
“I’m just exhausted,” I sigh, collapsing into the chair opposite her. “Nothing like the relaxing atmosphere of your precious high-tech company,” I add with a wry smile, gesturing toward her laptop.
Sarah chuckles, closing the lid with a dramatic flourish. “Fine, fine, I’ll stop working now that you’re here,” she concedes, pulling out her lipstick and reapplying a fresh coat with practiced ease.
“Was that for me?” I tease, knowing full well that Sarah’s love for bold colors and dramatic flair has nothing to do with attracting attention.
She throws her head back and laughs, her infectious laughter filling the air. “Hardly,” she replies with a wink. “But you never know who you’ll meet.”
Taking a sip of her drink, she leans forward, her eyes filled with concern. “So, what’s new?”
I hesitate, unsure of where to begin. “Well, I found out something about Alexander,” I begin, testing the waters.
Sarah’s nose wrinkles in disapproval. “Are you still seeing him?” she asks, her voice sounding disappointed.
“No, no.” I clarify, feeling my cheeks flush with shame. “I mean, well, yes and no. I—I don’t know.”
“I’ve heard that before, Ava,”she says, her voice gentle but firm. “He’s dangerous. He’s not good for you.”
“He’s troubled,”I admit. “I know. Tyler actually knows him from high school.”
“Oh yeah? What was he like then?”she asks, her curiosity piqued.
“Complicated,”I sigh, remembering Tyler’s stories of Alexander’s difficult childhood, the neglect and abuse that had shaped him into the man he is today.
“He’s been through a lot.”
Sarah’s eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean?”
Taking a deep breath, I share what Tyler had told me about Alexander’s troubled past, his brushes with the law, and the shadows that seem to follow him wherever he goes.
“That’s horrible, Ava,”she says, her voice filled with sympathy. “No wonder he’s so damaged. But that doesn’t excuse his behavior. You need to be careful with this guy. These people are always mixing with the wrong sorts. And I don’t want to see you get hurt again, and this time, it might be more than just a broken heart. I picked up the pieces last time, and I can’t watch you go through that again.”
“I know,”I reply. “I’m meeting him tonight.”
Sarah reaches across the table and takes my hand. “Just be careful, Ava,”she says.
I nod, my gaze drifting. The harbor water reflects the city lights, a million pinpricks of temptation against the black velvet of the night. Am I strong enough to resist Alexander’s pull?
“Ava,”Sarah says, her voice low. I have never seen her this serious. “There’s something you need to hear.”
“What is it?”My heart thumps against my ribs.
“Walk away.”Sarah’s gaze held mine. “Walk away from him before it’s too late.”
A pregnant pause fills the space between us.
“I know,”I whisper. “But I need to do this my way.”
“As long as your way doesn’t involve throwing your dress in the ring and dancing naked in his bedroom, I’m all for it,”she says with a playful wink, her attempt at humor a welcome distraction from the seriousness of the situation.