Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“It is. And it would be perfect if it weren’t for the pesky criminal trial part.”
I was glad she could make fun of such a dark situation, and I said as much.
“Well, that’s enough about me.” Sloane nudged my arm again. “What’s going on with you?”
“Where are Callie and Walker today?” I hedged.
She gave me a knowing look. “Walker took Callie and Lewis swimming. Now stop changing the subject.”
“Everything’s fine. Same old.”
“No.” She pulled on my arm to halt my steps. Her dark eyes swept over my face. “Something is definitely up.”
Had Lachlan blabbed to Walker? I couldn’t picture it. But Walker incited a kind of trust. I could see Lachlan telling the security guard things he would never tell others. Especially because I knew Walker had a close relationship with the Adairs through Brodan. “Did Walker say something?”
Sloane’s eyebrows shot upward. “What would Walker have to say? Has something happened?”
Damn it.
Realizing Sloane wouldn’t give up until I told her (and honestly, I needed someone to talk to about it), I filled her in about Allegra locking me and North in the library. Then I told her what I’d told North. And like he’d been, she was furious at my moronic exes, particularly Lucas.
“North shared things too. Things he told me in confidence that I can’t tell you.”
She waved a hand in understanding. “I get it. So, whatever he told you, it made you like him?”
My heart raced at the thought. “I’m attracted to him. That’s been the problem from the start.”
“There are lots of hot actors at Ardnoch. Why did North make you so prickly?”
I shrugged. “Don’t you think there are just certain people who you feel an extra spark with? Like, you’re more aware of them for whatever chemical reason?”
“Oh, yeah.” Sloane grinned cheekily. “But I’ve only ever felt that way about Walker.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Have you felt it for multiple people?” She seemed surprised I might have.
Hating that it was true, I practically snarled, “I felt it for that asshole Lucas. I mean, I was attracted to my ex-boyfriends, but Lucas just has that thing that North has. That extra quality that makes your skin tingle when he’s near.”
“But North isn’t Lucas.”
“I know.” Sort of. “I understand rationally that North is not Lucas. And that he might even be a really good guy. But my gut is still screaming ‘Danger, Will Robinson.’”
Confusion marred her brow. “Danger who?”
I gaped at her. “Lost in Space. ‘Danger, Will Robinson.’”
She looked no less confused.
“The TV show. The robot that warns Will Robinson whenever there’s a threat?”
Sloane chuckled apologetically. “I don’t know that show.”
I shrugged. “It’s originally from the 1960s, but they remade it a few years ago.”
“Like I have time for TV.”
“I don’t have time for TV either, but I grew up with Wesley Howard. If it’s about movies and TV, it’s trapped in here.” I tapped my temple.
Sloane chuckled. “Okay. Anyway, back to what matters. Basically, your head is saying North might be a good guy, but your gut is telling you to run?”
“Exactly.”
“I think you’ve got it confused. I think your gut is telling you North is a good guy, but your trauma is telling you to run.”
Maybe she was right. But I wasn’t in a place where I could take the chance to find out. I told her as much.
“Not even for one night of great sex that might give you your confidence back?” Sloane suggested.
The thought of North seeing me naked made me cross my arms over my chest. Right now, I liked that he was attracted to me. It made me feel good, even if it was confusing. The idea of him looking at my naked body and it repulsing him freaked me out. My throat tightened.
“Aria, what’s going on in that head of yours?” My friend pushed.
I was ashamed that I was so ashamed of my body. It wasn’t who I wanted to be, but there was only so much a person could take before they started to believe the shit others said about them.
At my silence, Sloane continued, “I always knew I wanted more with Walker than just sex. But I also thought it would never happen because he was such a bachelor. And I thought, what if I never feel this physically attracted to someone again? Did I want to give up the possibility of amazing sex just because it wouldn’t last? I didn’t. I decided I wanted what I could get from him. And even knowing that I was falling for him, I was still glad I took that chance because the sex was unbelievable.” She laughed. “And it keeps getting better. If Walker had decided we were done, I wouldn’t have regretted him.”
“What are you saying?”
“You could take this chance with North. One night. Be in control of the situation and take what you want from him because he’s offering.”