Unhinge - Calia Read Page 0,58

about the weather, yet when they saw Barbara, they smiled and laughed as if no time had passed since they’d last seen one another. I tried to remember the last time that Wes and I had visited extended family. Probably during our wedding.

Unease trailed down my spine as I realized that other than my mother, I had made no effort to keep in contact with anyone on my side of the family. I hardly saw my brother or his family. A few cousins were scattered around the country.

Was that my fault or Wes’s? I didn’t want to dig any further into our relationship’s past. My gut told me that if I did, I’d see things clearly. I’d see things for what they were.

Sinclair walked over to me and I shoved away all dark thoughts of Wes. “That took longer than I thought.”

He dusted off his hands and leaned against the wall. His body was mere inches away from me. He looked so at ease, as if we always stood this close. As if we didn’t have my husband, my humiliations and fears and shame between us.

“I have a newfound respect for my sister now,” he said.

“As do I.” I pushed away from the wall. “All set?”

Sinclair nodded and pulled out his keys.

I grabbed my purse and we walked toward the front doors, Sinclair behind me. “No, no, no. Where are you two going?”

Sinclair and I turned around at the same time. Barbara had a margarita in one hand, holding it above her head as she moved in and out of the crowd. The dictator was gone, replaced with a brand-new, happier person. “You two should stay!” When we said nothing she grabbed my hand and swung it back and forth. “Stay and have fun.”

Sinclair and I exchanged glances.

“You want to?” I asked.

Sinclair looked at me with shock. True, spending a Saturday night at a party for a virtual stranger wasn’t at the top of the list but it beat going home to a cold monstrosity, which instead of being filled with good memories was holding all the harsh words Wes and I threw at each other.

Maybe my thoughts showed, because Sinclair gave me a small nod and smiled at Barbara. “We’d love to.”

“Excellent, excellent!” And then she was gone, shouting at someone clear across the room.

Sinclair dipped his head and whispered in my ear. “Do you really want to stay here or were you just being nice?”

I swallowed hard and kept my eyes glued on the crowd. “It doesn’t seem so bad.” I looked at him from the corner of my eye and found him staring at me. “Unless you already have plans tonight.”

He held my gaze and tried to fight the pull between us. “I have no plans. Did you?”

Wes had said he was having another night at the office. Lately, that was more of his home than the one he shared with me. I looked away.

“Nope. No plans.”

There was no time to be bored or think about the problems swirling around in my life. As it turned out, Barbara’s family was outgoing. More friends of the family showed up and from our table in the corner we watched everyone. Drinks and laughter were all around. It was impossible to be in an environment like that and not have it rub off on you.

I drained my fourth cup of fruit punch, wishing that it was some form of alcohol instead. “Is it possible to get drunk off fruit punch?” I mused.

“If by drunk you mean sugar high, then yes, it’s possible.”

I glanced at Sinclair and smiled. “This night isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

Sinclair scanned the people around us. “It’d probably be better if we stopped hiding in the corner.”

“That’s the difference between you and me: I’m okay sitting in the corner, whereas you love to talk to everyone.” I nudged him in the arm. “It’s killing you sitting here next to me, isn’t it?”

All humor vanished from Sinclair’s eyes. His stare was so acute, I had to fight the urge to look away. “It’s not killing me at all,” he said gruffly. “I like being with you.”

Greedily, my heart scooped up his words when it had no right to. But Sinclair did that. He made me want things that I had no business reaching for.

I cleared my throat and looked back at all the laughing people together.

Sinclair stood, his chair screeching loudly. He loomed above me and held out his hand. “You wanna?” He nudged