Page 48 of Everything She Wanted

“I bet he would say the same about you.” I smile as I look over at him.

“What about you?” he asks.

“What about me?”

“It seems like you have a lot of good things going on in your life, too.”

I want to laugh and then cry. “Looks can be deceiving,” I manage.

It looks like I have everything I ever wanted: I finally feel like I’m closer to getting that promotion, I’m getting engaged soon, and I have amazing friends, but somehow, I feel so empty.

“Pizza okay?” Sunny turns around and asks.

“Yes,” Kin and I both say at the same time. We look at each other and laugh.

“I can see why you like her so much,” Kin says, and I’m not sure if he’s talking to Sunny or Nick.

We walk into a cozy little pizza place, which is busy even at this late hour. Sunny snags us a booth in the corner. I sit next to him, leaving Nick and Kin to sit on the other side.

The waitress takes our orders, and Kin takes Nick to the old-fashioned jukebox they have in the corner. A few minutes later she drops off our drinks.

“Remember that time we played truth or dare and you dared me to eat like ten gulab jamuns?”

“I didn’t think you would actually do it.” I laugh.

“I still can’t look at them without my stomach revolting.”

His dark eyes pierce into mine, sparkling as the smile leaves his lips, usurped by a mischievous grin I know so well. One that got us into trouble so many times.

“It’s payback time.” He leans closer. “Truth or dare.”

I take a sip from my milkshake as I ponder.

“Truth. There’s no way you’re making me eat ten of anything that sweet.”

“What’s really going on with you and pretty boy over there?” He nods his head toward the other end of the room.

I glance over at Nick and our eyes meet. The sky blue, now a midnight abyss, tempting me with a single look. He gives me a soft smile before turning back to Kin.

“Nothing, we just work together,” I lie, as I lick my lips and savour the lingering memory of his lips pressed against mine. I ignore the butterflies that float through my abdomen and the desire that stirs elsewhere.

“Give me a break, Nish. He’s been glancing over here every few seconds with fuck-me eyes.”

“He’s probably just looking at...” I look around. “The guy in the booth next to us.”

He rolls his eyes and lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Yeah, I’m sure he has a thing for Buzz Cut over there.”

“Stop. Sunny, you’re the worst.” But I’m laughing.

“Come on, and don’t even pretend like I didn’t see you hand-in-hand leaving the club. Spill.”

I shift in my seat and swirl my milkshake absentmindedly.

“You’re both hot for each other, obvs.”

I bite my lip.

“I can’t go there, Sunny. You know I can’t.”