Page 98 of The Betrayal

“Connie,” I whisper, and I have no idea why.

“Yeah?” She leans in, a girlish grin on her face, her hands splayed against the table like she is waiting for some juicy gossip.

“Is your dad's penthouse still empty?”

Her brows furrow, the smile slowly slipping away.

“I think so, why...” she pauses for a moment then leans in a little closer, “is everything okay between you and Keaton?”

I sigh, letting my head fall for a moment.

“Yeah, everything is perfect...” my eyes meet hers and I can see the confusion on her face.

“Then why do you want to move out?”

“I think it's the right thing to do, I was meant to move out weeks ago but then...”

“I'll speak to my dad,” she nods when she eyes Reese walking back towards us and I sit back in my seat, lifting my virgin cocktail to my lips and taking a mouthful.

“So, who fancies a walk around central park before we head back home?” Reese smiles between me and Connie and we both just nod and smile.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

KEATON

12 Weeks

Size of Babies: a lime

The weeks have passed in a blink of an eye and for some reason, Arizona is pulling away. I was hoping it was just an off day, but the off days turned into weeks. We had her second scan today, the twelve week one and I get to see the twins on the screen, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited. My chest aches with nerves and my stomach knots tight, but excitement beats every other emotion that is currently swarming through my veins.

I'm sitting in my office, tucked away in the corner with my book. Not usually one for reading, but I need to silence the noisy voices in my head. Arizona is upstairs getting dressed and all I want to do is sit and watch her, basking in her beauty. I'm a sap, you don't need to tell me. She has my heart, wholly. I would shout it from the rooftops if I could. Who would have thought, playboy Keaton head over heels for his best friend’s daughter.

Sickening.

But it's true.

I love her so fucking hard.

My thoughts wander back to two weeks ago when we last slept together. It wasn't just sex with us. It was so much more; it was a connection that I had never felt before. Something tying me to her, pulling me in constantly. But since then, she hasn't let me near her. I would never force her into something she wasn’t feeling. We're married but it still doesn't feel real. We went from a hook up before getting drunk and married. Running my index finger across my bottom lip, my book half closed on my lap and my eyes are pinned to the door, wishing for her to walk through.

But she doesn't.

My phone pings and it takes me a while to actually let my eyes fall and my hands to move before I even slip it out of my pocket, and when I do, I sigh.

Lucy

Hey stranger, I’ve missed you. Come see me tonight? It's been far too long. X

I mull over my answer for just a moment, fingers hovering over the on-screen keyboard.

Me

Not tonight, Luce, maybe another.

Eyes are back on the door. My skin crawls and my palms sweat at the thought of not being close to her, an addict waiting for his next hit but knowing full well it's unobtainable. Out of reach. So, so far out of my reach.

Get a grip.