Page 26 of Temporary Vows

My stomach dips, which is ridiculous. I shouldn’t have any sort of reaction to him.

“You say that like it would be a tragedy,” I manage, aiming for light and landing somewhere closer to brittle.

“Still mouthy, I see.”

He lifts his cup like he’s making a toast then takes another sip, watching me over the rim.

“I’m just pointing out the obvious.” My fingers tighten around my cup.

“I guess I deserve that.”

He does, so I don’t comment. At the same time, I know I shouldn’t feel bitter. It’s not like he andIwere friends. All my childhood memories may be filled with him hanging out with Jack, but all I was is his best friend’s little sister.

“How’ve you been?” The question is so simple it throws me.

“I’m fine.” The lie burns through me like acid. I’m not even sure I manage to speak with a straight face. If I did, the skeptical look on his face tells me he doesn’t believe me. “What about you? How’ve you been?”

He stares at me for a long moment before answering. “I’m fine, too.”

“Family okay?” The latest thing I know about the Vales is that his eldest brother got married. But that was over a year ago. It was all over the news. I lost track of the Vales over time because I was so busy, and recently, the loan consumed my every waking thought.

“My family are good. Yours?” The question can only be in reference to Jack. He’s the only real family I have left.

“Yeah. All good.” I give him a general answer, knowing Jack would hate if I gave any more details. It’s bad enough I’m sitting here, sipping coffee with his enemy.

“Did you ever go to Europe?”

I can’t help but smile. He remembered that, too. “Not yet. It’s still on my to-do list.”

“You should definitely go.”

“I nearly went during college. I missed out on a placement at Oxford in England.”

“What happened?” He leans forward, looking curious.

“I fell down the stairs in my dorm and broke my leg.” I lift a shoulder into a shrug.

The line of his mouth flattens, and that sharpness in his focus softens at the edges like someone just dimmed the lights behind his eyes. “Sorry to hear that.”

“I felt so foolish. I missed an opportunity of a lifetime. I would have gone to Shakespeare’s home, walked the Brontë moors, lurked around Austen country… maybe even stalked all of Byron’s old haunts just for the poetry of it.” For a moment, Islip into my old self. God, I miss that girl so damn much, it hurts I can’t be that version of myself anymore.

“I’m sure you can still do that. Maybe once you’ve got that big thing you’re saving for out of the way.”

“Yeah, that would be nice.” More like a dream.

He drains the last of his coffee and studies me for a heartbeat. “I have to run, but… I certainly hope this thing you’re saving for isn’t some kind of trouble.”

My lungs squeeze and the air thins, trapped somewhere between my throat and chest, refusing to move. “No. Why would you say that?” God, am I that transparent?

“Because you look cornered, little lamb. Overworked and… trapped. And like you haven’t seen sleep in days.”

Typical Dorian. Always seeing too much. But then again, I guess I’ve gotten to the stage where I can’t cover up my distress. There’s only so much makeup and forced smiles can hide.

Still, the fact that he noticed sends a spiral of irritation coursing through me.

“I’m fine.” The words snap out harder than I intend.

“The problem with that answer is, you don’t look fine.”