The hospital's automatic door opened, and Ziah stepped aside to let me enter the hospital first. Our bodies touched briefly, and I felt a yearning in the deepest part of my soul.My heart began to beat faster. The brief contact sparked a physical response that I couldn't deny. Ziah was fucking handsome, captivating, yet also infuriating. I wanted him so badly, but at the same time, I wanted to grow some spine and independence to show him that I could stand on my own and stop acting like a love-sick puppy. "Come on, hurry,” he said while glancing at his watch. “I don't have all day.”His words and actions hurt, but what could I do?"Yeah," I said, pretending to be absent-minded. His face softened, and I felt his raking gaze but ignored him.Inside, I was struggling. It was hard to let go of the love I still had for him, but we needed to remain civil for the baby's sake.We would co-parent our child, because I would never, ever prevent him from seeing his child. But I needed to learn
To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. I clapped my hands together in my lap and exchanged glances with George; his face was completely serious, with no hint of amusement.My nerves were on high alert, and George's intense eye contact made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I should have felt flattered or grateful that someone as wonderful as George was asking me out, despite all my problems, but I knew it was unfair to take advantage of him."I don't understand," I finally managed to say after I got my tongue working. "What do you mean?" He killed the engine in front of the driveway and turned to face me straight on. "Every damn word I said, Camilla. I'm not the type to go back on my word. I like you, and I'm sure about it." Whoa, this guy wasn't kidding at all.I broke eye contact with him, and uncomfortable sweat trickled down my neck. George inched closer. He was so close that I froze and couldn't move. "Camilla, I know your heart belongs to Ziah, and this is the w
"Oh my goodness, Olivia!" I cried out and rushed to hug my friend. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and seeing her made my insides vibrate, I was breathless with happiness. "Look at you," she hugged me back and planted a kiss on my cheek. "It's so good to see you, Cami. You look great!" Holding her hand, I led her outside because the women in the council were having a meeting, and I didn't want to suppress my excitement. "I can't believe you came all the way to visit me," I said to her when we settled on a wooden bench under a tree. "I've missed you so much." "Girl, work has been boring without you by my side. I didn't realize how much of an antisocial person I was until you left. Those bitches are boring and I don't even have anyone to talk to." I grabbed her bag because they were always my favorite snacks and pulled out a package of Twinkies. "Do you still love those? I thought your pregnancy hormones wouldn't let you enjoy them," she laughed, throwing her head back. "I got
Earlier, I heard a captivating voice and approached its source. I did not need anyone to confirm that it was Camilla. I have always admired her singing talent and knew she had what it takes to succeed in the music industry. When we were together, I even advised her to pursue a musical career.Hearing her now sing with my brother Zeke sparked mixed emotions in me, and I had no idea why I was jealous. I had turned down the girl for Vespa, so why was I burning to protect her from the gaze of other men, particularly that stupid doctor, George? I listened to the harmonious blend of Camilla's voice and Zeke's guitar from behind the door. Zeke saw me but pretended not to notice.Camilla's voice touched my heartstrings. I couldn’t deny that Camilla and I had an undeniable chemistry prior to Vespa, and even now, I still felt something that I tried to bury deep within myself. In our world, the mating bond represented fidelity and a strong desire to be with your partner. At the same time, if
The night was chaotic, as Ziah couldn't stop banging on his brother's door and also causing me a headache. Zeke wasn't home, so there was no one to back Ziah up because Grandma Zora was a very heavy sleeper, and I was not surprised that she had slept through the noise. As much as I didn't want to blame Vespa, she was so infuriating by stringing the poor brothers along and claiming she couldn't choose between them.She was just too scared to let go and thought she could eat her cake and have it.Zeke and Ziah deserved much more than her half-hearted attention because it was clear that she loved Kai more than them.My hand went to my flat tummy. I was carrying a piece of Ziah inside of me. If I were in Vespa's shoes, I would be kind enough and have the decency to release him from this love triangle hell, but no, she was so selfish that it blinded her.Every time I see her flirting with all three of them, my blood boils because it's so unfair that she was playing with their emotions, an
I looked at Camilla, a small smile spreading across my face, pleased with how far I had come. The girl treated me as if I was love-bombing her, which was partly true because I was showering her with compliments and calling her the most beautiful woman I had ever met.My gestures were cringe-worthy and over the top, but how else could I persuade her to believe me? Women all over the world enjoy being praised and complimented, so I took advantage of this information."May I book us a hot air balloon ride for next weekend? I know you'll love it," I said to her as I handed her a bouquet of roses.After I kissed her, the poor girl's comfort level dropped. She was acting like she had cheated on that jerk, Ziah.It didn't help that she was astute and could detect flattery and charm, especially when I told her that I felt we had a strong connection."Any hobbies?" I asked her to keep the conversation going, but she shrugged."I enjoy singing. Zeke says I can make it big in the singing world,
My mouth dropped open, and I was too startled to see Ziah standing in front of his car. I hadn't even noticed his presence; else, I wouldn't have kissed George. My eyes clung to him, analyzing his reaction. I could see the icy contempt that flashed in his eyes; he was angry and didn't fail to hide it.I looked away and noticed that George was wearing a twisted smile, like a cat who got the cream, and I didn't like the growing suspicion that George was enjoying this a little too much."You must have seen Ziah staring at us and kissed me," I said. "Now Ziah looked like he was about to explode. This wasn't what I needed. My life was already complicated, and I didn't want Ziah to think I was interested in George romantically."He was going to think I was some kind of cheap flirt who couldn't keep her feelings in check. George was enjoying this, and I didn't like that I put my guard down around him. I shouldn't be letting him kiss me randomly."I inhaled a stuttery breath, and my legs turn
It had been two weeks since I agreed to be George's girlfriend. So far, he'd been good and caring, showing me so much affection and attention.It was crazy how many gifts he got me—a new phone, lots of clothes, my favorite snacks, and food. Everything I could possibly need. One would even think that he was the one who got me pregnant.Two days ago, he took me out to a carnival and prioritized me, even with his busy schedule as a doctor. It was sweet, really, but despite all of this, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I didn't love him the way he deserved to be loved.It was unfair of me to keep enjoying the privileges of being with him when my heart was still beating for someone else. I felt guilty, knowing that I was not fully invested in the relationship.The good thing is that he was aware of it, and I had warned him about it from the start. Yet he insisted that, with time, I would grow to love him. So in a way, this wasn't my fault.I wish I could feel the same way about George