Page 55 of Overdosed: Her Dark Side
“Are you?” My eyes flickered between his.
“Well,” he said as he inhaled, “wasn’t easy to watch the woman I love marry my brother.”
“Anders—”
“But I am happy for you, Melanie,” he cut in. “I truly am.”
I didn’t know what to say. I felt awkward, uneasy, and confused. All at once. My eyes darted between his in silence as he swirled me around before I fell back into his arms.
He whispered into my ear, his voice husky and low. “I hope these four thousand miles that part Italy from New York will be enough for me to stay away from you.”
I swallowed hard, hesitantly leaning back to look into his dark eyes.
“Perhaps, one day, I will forget that the woman I want now officially belongs to my brother.”
“Anders…” My brows knitted.
“Don’t say anything, Mel. I promised you that if you choose him, I will respect that and back out, and I’ll keep my promise.” He sucked on his cheek before he continued, “But I am just a man, and I must keep my distance. I have to lose you from my sight.”
“Is that why you moved to Italy?”
“Wasn’t it obvious?” His eyes flickered between mine as we swayed to the music I no longer heard. It blurred in the background, drowned out by Anders’ regretful voice. “You’ll always be my unrequited desire.”
I cleared my throat, feeling the unease washing through me. “Does Shane know?”
Anders scoffed. “He always knows. Everything.”
Suddenly, every moment, every glance, every touch I shared with Anders played out in my mind like a movie tape. I was wondering when this happened. When did I let Anders believe we have a chance? When did he fall in love with me? Perhaps it was the carefree days we spent together with Hope, playing and dining together as a family would. Perhaps it was the tiny moments that seemed so insignificant that in fact, played the most crucial part. Perhaps, focused on my love for his brother, I didn’t see the things, he did. Perhaps. And now, it was too late, my husband’s brother was in love with me. What a disaster.
“Mommy!” Hope’s delighted voice snapped me back from my thoughts.
I let go of Anders’ embrace, inhaled heavily, and turned to my daughter. “Come to me, my beautiful princess!” I reached my hands to her, and as I lifted her, my gaze met Shane’s, approaching with a smile.
“The two most beautiful ladies of this evening,” he remarked, smiling in a way that would melt the biggest iceberg.
“Only this evening?” I teased.
Shane shook his head with a grin, wrapping his hands around my waist. “Of the entire Universe.”
I fleetingly glanced at the spot where Anders had been before, and he was no longer there.
“And the queens of my heart,” Shane whispered in my ear. His husky voice and warm breath sweeping across my neck caused goosebumps to rise in their wake on my skin.
“What a beautiful family,” Elena exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she approached us. “I wish Karl could’ve witnessed that.”
My smile softened at the thought of our loved ones who were no longer with us. “They’re watching us from a better place, I’m sure,” I said.
“Grandma, will you dance with me?” We chuckled as Hope extended her arms toward Elena.
Her eyes glimmered with warmth. “But of course, my love,” she replied tenderly, taking Hope away from me and leading her further to the dancefloor.
“I’m glad Elena is with us,” Shane said softly, watching them dance. “If it weren’t for her, Hope wouldn’t have grandparents who would spoil her like she does.”
I nodded, leaning my head on Shane’s arm. “I agree.”
“It saddens me, though, that neither of our parents will see our child growing.”
“Children,” I stated, and Shane turned to face me, his eyes narrowing.
