Page 63 of A Change of Heart

The conversation faded to background noise as Seren gazed out over the dark water that swept onto the shore with a gentle hushing sound. Overhead, millions of stars decorated the awe-inspiring sky. Contemplating the vastness of space made her head spin. Or maybe that was the wine. The glass in her hand was empty and she reached for the bottle only to find it was all gone.

“I’m going up to bed,” Rebecca said. “Nice to see you, Seren.”

“You too,” she murmured, tiredness making her words sound thick and sludgy.

“Want me to drive you home?” Felix asked when they were alone.

“Not particularly. Did you say there was whisky?”

“I don’t think you need whisky,” he said, an intensity to his gaze that irked her.

“Why aren’t you drinking?” she asked, standing and walking into the kitchen. Her legs felt wobbly after sitting for so long and she swayed a little.

“So I can drive you home.” He followed her inside. “What are you doing?”

“Getting my own drink since you’re a terrible host.” She opened three cupboards before she found glasses. The bottle of whisky was easier to find, standing out on the countertop.

“I think it’s probably better if you go home,” he said while she poured whisky into two tumblers in a jerky motion.

“It’s Saturday night. Everyone is out having fun. We should do the same.” Annoyingly, he didn’t drink when she handed him a glass, just set it back down on the counter.

“Okay. I’m guessing someone didn’t invite you to a party or something? That’s why you’re upset?”

“No.” She thought of Kit out with Holly and downed the whisky, wincing when it burned her throat. As she began to unscrew the lid to pour herself another, Felix’s hand closed over hers, then peeled her fingers away to take the bottle from her. “What are you doing?” she demanded.

“You’ve had enough.”

“Just give it to me.” She lurched at him but he moved backwards, holding the bottle away from her. She glared at him defiantly before reaching for his untouched glass and knocking it back.

He shook his head. “You’re a mess, Seren.”

“Well coming from you that’s pretty offensive.” She laughed, then covered her face with her hands as her chin began to twitch uncontrollably. He was right; she was a mess. Her life was a mess, and she had no idea what to do about it.

“Hey.” Felix wrapped his arms around her and she didn’t have the energy to protest. Instead she leaned into his shoulder and sobbed. Rubbing her back, he whispered gentle reassurances into her hair. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on yet?” he asked when she finally calmed down.

“No,” she sniffed, backing away from him.

“Let me drive you home then.”

She swiped her fingers under her eyes. “I don’t want to go home.”

“Why not?”

“Because getting drunk on my own is pathetic.”

His smile was condescending. “Is this about Noah, by any chance?”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard he’s got a new girlfriend and they’re living together.”

“So?”

“So, I thought maybe that would be difficult for you …”

She screwed her nose up and shook her head. “I’m very happy for Noah.”

“Sure you are.” He rolled his eyes. “Clearly you don’t want to share your problems with me. If you don’t want to go home, you can stay here, but I think you should go to bed.”