Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,324

Can’t say I’m proud of it, though. But let me just say this…the other girls in my group were ten times worse than me. I can be ruthless when I need to be, and they were ruthless all the damn time. I’ve had three of them come to me for their divorces, and it’s their high-school sweethearts they’re divorcing. I’m good at what I do, of course, so they come to one of their BFFs who will look after them.”

“I bet you charge them extra.”

Her mouth drops open in mock surprise. “How could you accuse me of such things? I mean, of course I charge them a little extra. I have to deal with years and years of baggage, some of which I was around and have first-hand experience.”

“Gee, I don’t envy your job. I couldn’t deal with that. Give me staring at dicks all day.” We laugh. “Come on, let’s get a drink. At least, this time around, I can down as much alcohol as I want without getting busted by a teacher.” I hook my arm through hers, and we make our way toward the tables with snacks and glasses of wine.

“Well, well, well…look who it is.” The familiar voice causes my spine to straighten and my hand to clench the glass in my hand a little too tightly.

Spinning on my heel, I come face to face with a nightmare from my past.

“Hello, Luke.”

His dark suit is perfect for his dark soul. He’s still as good-looking as I remember, but now I see past it all. Blue eyes that will eat you up and a mouth that will spit you out when things don’t go the way he wants. I swallow hard, but the lump doesn’t budge. I don’t miss the sharp intake of Vivian’s breath when she turns only seconds after me. “Thought you’d be too busy to come to something like this,” I say, my words sharp like icicles.

Luke cocks his head to the side, and I don’t miss the way his eyes rake up and down my body. He leans a little too close and reaches behind me for a glass. Vivian takes my arm and pulls me to the side.

“I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to come, since I was in town and all. Seeing you is a bonus. How have you been?”

“Fine.” I take a sip from my slightly trembling glass as a painful silence falls between us. The weight of his stare is like a boulder resting on my shoulders. The way my body itches feels like spiders crawling over it when he watches me. I shudder.

“Anyway, we’ve got to keep moving. Good to see you. Glad not to officially meet you,” Vivian says as she takes my arm and goes to drag me off in a different direction.

Luke’s hand whips out and takes my wrist.

I stare down at it, horrified. “What are you doing? Let me go.” I attempt to yank myself free from his tight grasp, but his grip tightens.

Vivian moves closer to get in his face. “If you don’t let her go, I’ll sue your ass for everything you’ve got. Then we’ll see how cocky you are when you have not a cent to your name.” There’s the familiar lawyer voice I only hear on special occasions. At least she can threaten him like that. He’d probably laugh in my face if I said it. His grip loosens, and I snatch my arm away.

Luke raises his arms in defense. “No harm done. I just wanted to catch up with my old high-school sweetheart.” He flashes me a grin.

Out of nowhere, an arm wraps around my waist. “I’m so sorry I’m late. Traffic was hell.” My body instantly relaxes as Cole pulls me tightly against him. His warm lips press against my cheek, which I relish. His cold stare then turns on Luke. “Sorry, was I interrupting something?” His eyes dart around the three of us.

Luke has taken a step back, and Vivian is grinning widely.

“No, no interruption. I was just chatting with an old friend,” Luke replies, his cockiness returning. He extends his hand to Cole who takes it. “I’m Luke.”

“I’m Cole, Dylan’s boyfriend.”

My chest squeezes at the title he offers himself.

A part of me wants to make it a real title.

Would he want the same thing?

Luke nods his head. “Nice to meet you. I’ll leave you all to enjoy your evening.” He glares at all three of us as he turns and leaves.

I face Cole. “Now it’s your turn