Page 24 of Betrayed By Sin

Her hands are folded neatly on a linen napkin. Her hair is pulled into a sleek ponytail, earrings sparkling like tiny daggers. She looks composed. Polished. But I know her well enough to see the tension behind her smile.

I take a breath and approach. “Hi,” I say softly.

Bria’s eyes meet mine. She nods, motioning to the seat across from her. “Hi.”

I slide into the chair. There’s a second of silence before we both reach for the breadbasket at the same time, and we freeze, then laugh, just a little, the sound brittle and fragile.

“So,” I say, tearing off a piece of bread. “Still addicted to the rosemary rolls?”

Bria rolls her eyes. “Don’t act like you don’t dream about them.”

A sliver of warmth cuts through the awkwardness. Just enough to keep me from unraveling. I study her face. “You look good.”

She shrugs. “Sin bought me a spa package. Guilt gift, probably.” I flinch at his name, but Bria doesn’t miss it. Her gaze narrows slightly. “You still love him?”

“Even when I try not to.” I admit, taking a sip of ice water.

Bria exhales slowly and leans back, crossing her arms. “You know what’s crazy? I’ve been trying to hate you since the night Sin told me. Since the second I realized you were one of them.”

I lower my eyes, remembering Cameron’s words not to trust her. “Bria-”

“Ican’thate you,” she says, almost bitterly. “And believe me, I’ve tried. I’ve hated your brother. Your mother. Every last one of them. But you?” She shakes her head. “It’s different.”

My throat tightens. “I was scared you’d never want to talk to me again.”

“I thought you hatedme,” she says, voice softer now. “I can’t imagine what it was like for you to find out you were living in the home of your families nemesis. For Sin to not tell you that you even had a family.” She speaks the last word with so much venom, but also a small sliver of happiness for me.

“Never.” I lean forward, pressing my palms to the table. “You’re my best friend.”

Her eyes shine, just a little, but she blinks it away fast. “You picked a hell of a guy to fall for.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I know.” Her lip twitches. “You’re in love with the enemy.” She says simply.

“And I’m having dinner with another." I reply. “None of its fair, is it.”

“No,” she whispers. “It’s not.”

We’re quiet again. Outside the window, the streetlights glow soft and golden, people passing by unaware of the war sitting between us.

“I don’t want to lose you,” I say. “And I don’t want you to feel like you have to choose.”

“I already chose,” she says, voice tight. “I never knew Magnolia; I need you to know that I was in the dark just as much as you were.”

Tears sting my eyes.

She reaches for her wine and takes a slow sip. “But I’m scared, Mags. I’m scared Sin will get hurt. I’m scared you’ll get pulled deeper into all of this. I’m afraid I’ll have to watch both of you fall apart, and there won’t be anything I can do.”

“You don’t have to do anything,” I say. “Just be here. That’s enough.”

“I’ll always be here,” she says quietly. “Even if I don’t know how to do this. Your family…”

“We’ll figure it out,” I promise. “Together.”

Bria smirks faintly. “God, we sound like a bad teen drama.”

“I’d still watch it,” I say, laughing a little through the lump in my throat.