Wicked Destiny - By Tiffany Stevens Page 0,21

part about the winds and mind talking thing. I figured she dealt with enough of my freakish talents.

“Wow, so you kissed Jared?” Shay asked.

“Really? Is that all you have to say after everything I just told you?”

“Well, it’s Jared.”

“It was a fluke. It will never happen again. Why do you think Declan is back?”

Shay slowly said, “Um, he bought a house.”

I turned over to look at her, fell straight off the bed, and jumped up like nothing just happened. I glared at her and felt the heat rise from my toes and straight to the top of my head. If this were a cartoon I’d have a whistle blowing right above my head.

“How. Do. You. Know. That!”

“He told me when I saw him.”

“You saw him? When Shay? When did you see him?” Then realization played across my face. “How long have you known?”

“I saw him three weeks ago when I was helping Rick with getting his business started. Declan was coming out of Home Depot and it was a total shock for us both.”

“Why didn’t you tell me, Shay? Did you not think I wouldn’t see him?” I could hear the panic in my voice, because I was so not ready to see him. Then there was a knock on the door.

“Go away!” I screamed. I didn’t care who it was.

Shay got off the bed and glared at me, and then walked over to the door. Before she answered it, she turned to me.

“Not everything is about you, Sloane. I love you. You are more like my sister than anything, but you have to let go. It’s been three years and you refuse anyone that’s worth taking a chance on.” She looked through the peep hole. “Here’s one right now.” She opened the door to let Viktor in.

“Hi, I’m Shay and you are Viktor, right?” She held her hand out with a flirtatious smile and he took it, smiling back.

“Yes, I was passing by and heard yelling. I just wanted to see if everything was alright.” He looked at me and I could tell he knew I wasn’t in the mood.

“Well, that’s what sisters do. They piss each other off and at the end of the day they are still sisters.” Shay smiled at me, and even though I couldn’t give myself away just yet, I knew she had her reasons. No matter what, Shay would always be my sister.

“Shay likes to spring things on me at the last minute. It looks like I won’t be taking that vacation after all.” I suddenly found my voice.

“That’s a shame. I invited you and Sloane to my condo in Florida, but we can all go another time.”

This spiked Shay’s attention and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, because I could already see the wheels turning. Free room and board, days on the sand, and a concoction of drinks surrounding us. I could see it all now myself.

“Come sit down and tell me about yourself, Viktor. Let me interrogate you a little to see what your intentions are.” Shay pulled him to the couch as he looked at me with eyes full of terror.

While Shay talked to Viktor, I excused myself to go take a shower. I could hear them laughing and getting along, so I knew Viktor would be safe. As the water ran over me and warmed me up from the slight chill, I began to think about Declan. Then I realized Shay didn’t finish telling me why he was here. I had to remember to ask after Viktor left. Seeing him today brought back too many raw emotions I didn’t even remember I had. I had to fight the urge to run straight to him like I always did. Not anymore, though; I was a different person. That cute little blonde no longer existed. Well, cute girl does, but blonde and sweet…no. If I ran into him again, he would never see me like he used to and I would make it clear that I cared nothing for his company.

I lost track of time giving myself a pep talk. Climbing out of the shower, I noticed it was very quiet. Had they left without telling me? I wrapped my hair in a towel and wrapped one around my body as well. When I opened the door to walk out, Viktor was lying on my bed, and I absolutely froze.

“Now that’s a deer caught in the headlights look, if I’ve ever seen one.” He smiled as if this was amusing.