Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
His throat moved as he swallowed, his eyes flickering back and forth between mine. I sent him the sincerest expression I could muster. He exhaled heavily. “I’m sorry, I just …” He paused a moment then continued, “have some self-esteem issues, clearly.”
“Well, I don’t know why because I think you’re awesome.”
At this, he held my gaze, some kind of heat there. A moment passed between us, and his eyes flickered to my mouth for a second. Then the moment was broken when Nuala appeared. “Charli, I’m going to use the bathroom. Want to come with me?”
I blinked, emerging from whatever trance Rhys’ eye contact put me in. Maybe it was a good thing Nuala had interrupted us because I’d been a second away from kissing him.
“Uh, sure, yeah. I could pee.” I rose, shooting Rhys a small smile. “Be back in a few.”
He nodded, and Nuala linked her arm through mine again as we left the room. “Well, what exactly did I just interrupt?” she asked, her voice hushed.
“I’m not sure, but I think you might be right about me having a crush on Rhys.”
She squealed and did a little shimmy as we went upstairs. “I’m so excited for this to happen.”
“Don’t get too excited. It might not.”
“Sure, it won’t,” she crooned, and I pushed open the bathroom door.
“You go first. I’ll wait here.”
“Oh, just come in. It’s fine. You can turn around.”
“Okay,” I said, stepping inside and closing the door behind me. I turned to face the wall while Nuala did her business. “What about you and Theo? You looked cosy.”
“Theo’s great, but I don’t like him that way. He’s a friend.”
“What were you talking about?”
“Hmm, this and that.”
“This and that looked pretty engrossing all the same.”
“Oh, stop!” she exclaimed. “It really isn’t like that with Theo and me.”
I heard the toilet flush, and she stepped away to wash her hands. I turned around. “You might have to wait outside for me. I’m a shy pee-er.”
Nuala chuckled. “No problem.”
She left, and I quickly used the facilities then washed my hands. I heard voices outside, but they were muffled. Nuala was talking to someone.
“Why are you here?” she asked when I stepped out and found Kiera and two other girls from Nuala’s ex-friend group.
Kiera shot her a dirty look. “You don’t own this town, Nuala Balfe. Just because you have popular brothers, doesn’t mean you can kick us out of every party.”
“No, but I’m sure Aidan will be only too happy to kick you out the very second Nuala gives the word,” I countered, moving close to my cousin.
“Who are you?” Kiera asked snottily.
“I’m Nuala’s cousin from America, and in future, if you want to talk to her, you can go through me.”
One of the other girls snickered and commented under her breath, “We’d have a long way to go through you.”
I had to admit, the insult stung. I even flinched a little, my stomach twisting uncomfortably.
“What did you just say to her, Danielle?” Nuala stepped forward, looking angrier than I’d ever seen her.
All three girls chuckled while Kiera cocked her head, self-satisfied. “You heard exactly what she said.” Then she looked me up and down like I was nothing before turning on her heel. The other two scurried after her.
“Charli, I’m so sorry. What she said—”
I stopped her with a hand. “It’s fine. I’ve had worse insults thrown at me.”
“Yes, but you shouldn’t have to hear that. You’re gorgeous. I’d kill to have a body like yours, especially those boobs. Don’t listen to Danielle. She’s just jealous.”
“Maybe. It doesn’t matter anyway. I know what I look like.”
“Yes, but—”
“Really, Nuala, you don’t have to make me feel better. I’m made of sterner stuff. What I’m really worried about is you. What did they say to you when I was in the bathroom?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Nothing much. Just that the colour of my dress washes me out. I know it doesn’t. They just hate that they can’t ostracise me completely because Derek and Tristan wouldn’t allow it. There’s an extra sting in it for Kiera because she wants Tristan so badly, and he barely notices her.”
“Well, that is rather satisfying. I hope he goes on ignoring her.”
“Oh, he will. She’s not his type at all.”
“Good to know,” I said.
We’d just reached the bottom of the stairs when Nuala grabbed my arm. I glanced back at her. “Would it be awful if we just went home?”
“Are you sure? We haven’t been here very long. Don’t let Kiera scare you away.”
“I just don’t want any more drama if we bump into her again.” Her sweet brown eyes were pleading, and I instantly gave in.
“Okay, let’s go, then.”
“I’ll text Derek to let him know we’re leaving,” she said, looking relieved as she pulled out her phone.
“Tell him to let Rhys know, too,” I said, feeling bad about not going back to him and wondering if he’d end up talking to someone else. What if he had a few more beers and ended up kissing one of those hot girls he’d claimed scared him so much? Jealousy reared its head. Nuala nodded, adding it to the text, unaware of my jealous worries.