Wanted (Addicted Trilogy Book 3) (12 page)

Sara

The night had finally arrived. I’d reluctantly agreed to
accompany Alexa and Braden to Verdana’s new opening, where essentially they
were setting me up on a blind date.
At
least I’ll eat some good food.

I’d been taking better care of myself, eating more to help
replenish the weight I’d lost. I’d even started running. Each time my foot hit
the pavement, it helped to clear away the cobwebs from my head. Running had
quickly become an escape for me. Plus, it was great exercise.
 

“Girl, are you almost ready?” Alexa yelled from the living room. “Braden’s
gonna be here any minute to pick us up.” Hell must have frozen over for her to
actually be ready before me. But then again, I was taking my sweet-ass time, as
I did with most things lately.

What’s the rush? What am I
hurrying toward?

“I’ll be right there.” Semi-satisfied with the image staring back
at me, I snatched my purse off the bed, flicked off my bedroom light and headed
out to the front room.

We arrived at the newest grand opening right on time, bypassing
the long line of patrons patiently waiting to enter. Braden was able to secure
us VIP status, something I didn’t even know existed for restaurants. We were
led right to a private section, a waitress in tow as we ordered our drinks, and
settled in for what would hopefully be a good night. Braden’s friend James was
going to be joining us in a little while. At least I had some time to loosen up
before my nerves took hold.

“This place is amazing,” I raved, my eyes roaming over the
fixtures of the expansive building. We were surrounded by white and stainless
steel which was quite masculine, but there were splashes of sensual colors
mixed throughout. Beautiful artwork decorated the walls while exquisite candles
complemented the center of each table. The flickering flames added to the
ambiance of the restaurant, making it appear more cozy and intimate.

“Yeah, a buddy of mine is co-owner in this little endeavor, so of
course I agreed to come out and support him.” His arm was slung over Alexa’s
chair, stroking her shoulder as he glanced around the room. I was so happy my
best friend found love. She certainly deserved her happily ever after. But
sometimes her happiness drove home what I’d lost.

Plus, I forever felt like a third wheel, even though both of them
assured me it wasn’t the case. I knew they were concerned about me, but I
declined most of their invitations because I not only wanted to be alone, but I
also wanted to give them some time together. I knew, as much as anyone, how
important the first stages of a new relationship were. Getting to know each
other, even learning how to deal with the stubborn parts of the other person’s
personalities were obstacles best done alone.

And those two sure had their work cut out for them. Braden was a
kind man, but he was pretty intense, sometimes acting as if his word was law. Alexa
was stubborn in her own right, sticking to her guns each time he was acting
like an ass. Yeah, they definitely had their trying times to deal with but they
seemed to really care about one another, despite all of the other noise.

“Well, it’s a great place. Your friend should be proud of his
accomplishment,” I offered.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Here comes the man of
the hour now.” I wasn’t paying attention until Braden stood from his seat, walked
away from our table and shook hands with someone. When he moved out of the way
and I’d gotten a glimpse of who he was talking to, I’d felt as if I’d been
sucker-punched in the gut.

My eyes were as big as saucers, but they were nothing compared to
how far wide my mouth had fallen.

Kael was staring right at me as he approached our table.
What the hell?
How does Braden know him?
The next thought in my head, of course, was if Alek was there, as well. I knew
what good friends they were so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him, even though
it was the last thing I wanted.

“Sara, how are you?” Kael politely asked.

“Fine, thank you. And you?” I fidgeted in my chair, glancing
around everywhere to see if
he
was there.

In the midst of my roving eyes, I landed on Alexa’s face, which
was one of pure confusion. She leaned over the table, curiosity getting the
better of her. “How do you know Braden’s friend?” she whispered.

I wasn’t sure if I could answer her while holding back the rush
of emotion which was sure to spill over. Trying to calm myself, I was able to finally
give her something. “Kael is good friends with Alek.” I blew out a nervous
breath so loud, I was surprised no one at the table made a comment.

“Oh,” was all she could say, obviously realizing the same thing I
did just moments before. The enormity of the situation wasn’t lost on either
one of us.

Once the introductions were finished, Kael asked to speak to me
in private.

He started first, mainly because I didn’t even know what to say. “How
are you doing, Sara? Really?” Such a loaded question. One I wasn’t comfortable
answering. His loyalty fell to Alek and the last thing I wanted to do was put
him in an awkward position, finding himself on the side of defending his
asshole of a friend. But he
was
going
out of his way to talk to me, so the least I could do was give him a truthful
answer.
Maybe I’ll leave the name-calling
for another time.

“Honestly?” He nodded. “I’ve been better.” It was all I was
comfortable saying right then. My curt response said enough. I wanted so badly
to ask him if Alek was going to be there, but I didn’t want him to think I was
still hung up on him. Not knowing what guys talked about, I worried he would
run back and tell him everything I said.
 

“I told him he was making the biggest mistake ever letting you go,
but he didn’t want to listen to me.” He looked a little uncomfortable, but he
started it, so I was going to finish it. Plus, it would be nice to release some
of my anger onto someone other than poor Alexa.
 

“Well, I’m sure Cora was only too pleased he broke it off with
me.” Saying her name was torture on my tongue, acid to my ears.

“Cora? His ex-fiancée? What does she have to do with any of
this?” The look of confusion on his face was priceless. His good pal obviously
didn’t tell him everything.
 

“She was at his house the night he broke up with me. Well, he
didn’t actually say the words. No, he wasn’t man enough. He simply stood there,
not saying a damn thing. I left and never heard from him again. Well, up until
a week ago when he apologized but not saying exactly what for. Thankfully, I
was able leave before he humiliated me with more lies.”

Kael still looked confused, not quite sure what he should and
shouldn’t say to me. I understood, guy code and all that. He didn’t want to
overstep, but at the same time he looked like he wanted to offer me some
comfort, a small slice of revelation and relief.

“He’s not back with Cora, so I’m not even sure what all that was
about, Sara.” He glanced around, making sure there was no one else nearby to hear
our private conversation. “He broke it off with you because the sheer guilt about
the things which have happened to you while he was in your life, up-close and
personal, were too much to bear. He thought by letting you go, he could better
protect you. Like he did before he met you.” Before I could even comprehend the
impact of his words, he blurted out, “That’s why you guys are no longer
together. I tried to talk him out of it numerous times, mostly when he was
slumped over his couch, drunk as a skunk. He’s not doing well, Sara, and if he
sees you here tonight, I fear something bad will happen.”

Was he telling me the truth? What reason would he have to lie to
me? But more than anything, the one comment I chose to focus on was
He’s not doing well, Sara, and if he sees
you here tonight, I fear something bad will happen.
“Well, I’m not going
anywhere, Kael. I don’t owe him a damn thing, so I couldn’t give a rat’s ass if
he’s pissed I’m here.
 
What’s he going to
do? Throw me out? He doesn’t own this place, you do.”

“Well…”
Oh, no. Please,
don’t say it.
Please, don’t let what
I think he’s going to say leave his mouth.
“He’s the other owner of Verdana,
so he can do whatever he wants.” Before I panicked, he calmed me down by
putting my mind at ease. Well, kind of. “He’s not going to kick you out, Sara. That’s
not what I meant. I meant, once he knows you’re here, he’s probably going to drink
too much and do or say something stupid. But it’s not anything I can’t handle. God
knows I’ve had enough practice over the past few months.”

He reached out and touched my arm, giving me a half-smile to let
me know he realized what an ass his friend was, but all the while being
compassionate to the situation.
Why was
Kael always the one telling me the important info? First, about Alek having
been engaged before and now, the reason why he pushed me out of his life.
 

“I have to return to my table.” Our conversation was over. I saw
no need to drag it out any further.

“Sure thing.” He huffed out a quick breath, fidgeting a little before
speaking again. “I’ll do my best to keep you two apart from each other so
tonight goes off without a hitch.”

“Thanks, Kael. Really, thank you. For everything. I know Alek is
your friend, and I appreciate the kindness you’ve shown me. It means more than
you’ll ever know.”
 
And it really did. He
was a good man. Adara was a lucky woman. Then it hit me. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t
thought about her before. “Is Adara going to be here tonight, as well?” I was
hoping for a familiar face, someone who would no doubt take my side.

“She’ll be here but not until later. I’ll be sure to tell her to
find you if you guys are still here.”

“Okay. Thanks again.” I turned and walked back toward our table,
my energy level fully depleted. Once I sat down, Alexa was all over me,
desperate to find out what happened.

“Are you okay? Is there going to be a problem? Should we leave?” She
was so anxious, not wanting to expose me to another situation so soon after our
last encounter.

“No. Everything is fine. I’m okay and we’re not going anywhere. I’m
not going to let him run me out of here.” She had no idea what I was talking
about. The only thing she knew was that Alek was friends with Kael, who also
happened to be Braden’s friend. She didn’t know Alek was co-owner, as well. And
I wasn’t about to tell her right then because she would insist we leave. Braden
would no doubt agree with her.

No, I wasn’t going anywhere. If he didn’t want to see me then he would
have to avoid me. He’d had enough practice so far.
 

Once we settled back into our conversation, we were once again
interrupted. But that time it was from Braden’s colleague, James, who had just
arrived. He took the empty seat next to me, smiling as we shook hands. It was
easy to return his enthusiasm because he was quite easy on the eyes. I wasn’t
typically attracted to blonds, but I made an exception for him. He was quite
handsome in his designer suit, hair just so and a sexy smile which certainly
turned many heads. He was no Alek, no man was, but he would be the perfect
distraction for the evening.
 

“So, Sara, tell me, what do you do for a living?” He seemed
genuinely interested in what I had to say, so I indulged him.

“I own a little flower shop.”

“Don’t be so modest,” Alexa interrupted. “Her shop’s so busy she’s
probably going to have to expand soon.” She winked, smiling at my sudden
shyness.

James jumped back into the conversation, smiling at me to ease my
trepidation some. “I like flowers.” I don’t know why but his statement made me
laugh, and apparently it had the same effect on the rest of the table because
they soon joined in.
 
“What? I do,” he
retorted.

I laughed harder.
 
“I’m
sure you do, James. That’s not why I’m laughing. It’s the way you said it, all
eager to compliment what I do for a living. It’s sweet. Really, it is.”

“Well, then we’re off to a good start,” he replied, resting his
arm on the back of my chair, quickly brushing my shoulder with his finger as he
settled in. I froze for a second then mentally berated myself for being too
reserved. There was nothing wrong with enjoying myself, which included letting
a handsome man flirt with me. I wasn’t going to go home with him, so what was the
harm?

From the outside, it looked as if I was truly having fun, but the
fact was I was still miserable on the inside. Yes, I smiled at the numerous
tales being passed around from person to person, laughing when appropriate, but
I was numb inside, not really letting the fun of the evening bleed through. All
of my thoughts were of Alek and whether or not I was going to lay eyes on him soon.
I tried, I really did. I wanted to like James. I wanted to be open to the good
times the night was trying to bring, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t do any of it.

 
I excused myself, needing
to buy another drink to help with the sadness eating me up from the inside. As
I approached the bar, my heart stopped. At the far end was the one man I’d been
looking for all evening but secretly hoped wouldn’t show up.

He was leaning against the bar, laughing with some of the people
surrounding him. Kael was there, too, and when I caught his eye, he shifted, no
doubt trying to block Alek’s view of me. But he overdid it because he ended up
bumping into Alek, pushing his arm and knocking over some of his drink. I saw
Alek say something to his friend, looking confused for a second before his eyes
darted around the room, taking in all of his immediate surroundings.