Page 158 of Meant to Be

“Why do you sound surprised?” He grins. “Do you think Iwantto be here?”

I raise an eyebrow and laugh softly. “No, I suppose not.”

“Trust me, there are a lot of things I’d rather be doing.” His eyes lower to my chest and back up.

“I’d like to know more about that.”

“Oh. You will.”

His arm snakes around me and guides us towards the exit. My feet falter when I notice Jess biting her nails and looking nervously around at the different groups. I scan the room. Still no Nick.

Brennon meets my eyes and I quickly look away. Thankfully, he hasn’t approached us at all tonight, which I’m surprised about. His parents are one of the main organisers of this event though, which is probably why he is being on good behaviour.

“Hang on a second.”

Grabbing Harley’s hand, I drag him towards the group Jess is with. I waved to John and Eric earlier, but kept my distance since I know they haven’t liked Harley in the past.

Jess jerks her head at the sight of us coming towards her.

“Have you seen him?” she immediately asks.

Shaking my head, I reply that we haven’t. Her shoulders sag and she looks down at her phone, as if willing it to give her all the answers.

“Maybe you should try to call him.”

Everyone turns to Jess, and she looks pained saying those words.

“I left my phone at home,” I say.

Everyone gives me a weird look, obviously not realising how little I have to do with my phone anymore.

“We were thinking of heading off anyway. We will go look for him. I’ll let you know if we find him,” I say to her.

Sighing, she nods. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Hey, Josie?” a voice asks.

I turn, seeing Shannon smiling at me. She looks stunning in a floor-length emerald dress. Her crazy curls are bundled into a neat bun on the top of her head, with ringlets cascading down her face.

“Did that guy ever catch up with you?”

I furrow my brows. “What guy?”

“There was a guy at the club, the other weekend, who said he knew you.”

Icy dread fills my veins. I wait for her to laugh and say that she is kidding. Obliviously, she goes on.

“Handsome guy. Really tall. Dressed in a suuuuper expensive suit,” she prattles away and I can feel the heated gaze of Harley staring into the side of my face.

“Did you tell him?” I whisper.

“Tell him what?”

My mouth is paper dry. “Did you tell him where I live?”

Shannon cocks her head, looking up at the ceiling. “Honestly? I don’t remember. I was pretty drunk. He seemed really nice, I wouldn’t be worried!”

The walls around me start closing in and I jerk my head as a nod. “Yeah … thanks.”