Page 41 of The Pact
I touch my head to hers. “We’re lucky we have each other—that’s for sure. This world could very easily chew us up and spit us out.”
We sit quietly then, watching Seraphina. She laughs without hesitation and looks back at Alie and me, like she knows she’s the center of our universe right now.
Something inside me twists. It’s not jealousy. More like longing.
“I just wonder sometimes if that exists for me,” I say quietly.
I’m never this vulnerable, but something is making me feel a little raw today.
“For you?” Alie asks. “Hell yeah, it does.”
“Unless I’ve missed my window. I am a thirty-year-old woman now. Time is ticking.”
She turns to me again. “Pres.”
“I’m just saying—” I start.
Alie interrupts, “You haven’t missed anything.”
I shrug and bite the inside of my lip.
“Your person is out there.” She takes my hand in hers.
I nod, but if anything, that makes me feel even more unsettled.
Because there is one person, and he’s already my person. My person who makes all of this feel complicated.
Seraphina takes off out of the room, interrupting my thoughts, and we chase after her.
“You know,” Alie says casually, “I’ve always thought you’d end up with Saint.”
My head snaps toward her. “What?”
She watches me and shrugs like she just made a comment about the weather. “I think you heard me.”
“That would be ridiculous.”
“But is it really ridiculous?”
“Yes,” I say a little too loud.
“Presley.”
“What? He’s my best friend, Alie.”
“And?”
“If something were to happen, it would have happened a long time ago. We’re both career-focused people. It’s not sustainable for a relationship.”
She raises a brow. “Are you sure that's all it is?”
I swallow. “Yes, I’m sure. Might I also remind you of Dad’s number one rule? Never date a footballer. Your relationship withLiam is an exception because you have a child together and are very clearly in love,” I point out. “Saint is the best man I know, but I’m not sure he’s the settling-down type. Trust me. He’s never had a girlfriend who lasted longer than a few months.”
“And maybe that’s because he has someone else on his mind,” she says under her breath, but I hear it.
She studies me for a moment like she sees something I don’t. A little too long for my comfort level. Or she’s just waiting for the chance to call me out on justifying my reasons for having concerns.
But I don’t even try.
