Page 23 of The Wrong Bond (Wolf Billionaire #4)

CHAPTER 23

ARLENE

F ive Years Later

It was a gorgeous day. The sun shone down on the green trees and grass, and picnic blankets were spread all over the grassy park. In different corners, families set up picnic baskets and laughed together, and it felt warm and peaceful.

Five years after leaving the city, I’d made a home out of this strange place I’d come to know and love. Ever since the night I visited the bar and met Lucas, things had been changing for the better.

The all-consuming fear and grief that came with losing Shawn had slowly dwindled, but it never completely disappeared. I kept searching for him in every blue-eyed, brown-haired man I saw.

Those months I’d spent being his mistress seemed like a fever dream, and sometimes I forgot they had even happened. They were so far out of my reach that they didn’t seem real sometimes.

I searched his name sometimes on my phone, but every year, I found less and less information about him on the internet. It was like he was slowly erasing himself from the one place he knew I could find him.

But now, I’d built something with the money I’d gotten from Lora McGregor, from working as a bartender alongside Lucas to finally buying the bar with him and becoming partners. Coral, on the other hand, had had a successful surgery and moved in with me. She was now a college student.

The only unexpected thing during those five years was the random morning sickness I got a month into working at the bar…and the doctor’s report showing I was pregnant.

I could still remember that day clearly: how Lucas had urged me to see a doctor and how I’d reluctantly gone. The words “You’re pregnant” had hung in the air like a death sentence, and I hadn’t known what to do about it.

I was so sure that I’d gotten rid of Shawn and most of the memories we’d shared by moving away, but now I was carrying his seed, and there was no memory as permanent as a child.

The options I had were clear and unforgiving. If I wanted to completely forget about Shawn, then there was no way I could keep the child. There was termination, a clean slate, a return to the life I’d been building. Or there was motherhood, a leap into the unknown, a commitment that would change everything and forever tether me to Shawn.

I’d spent countless nights tossing, turning, speaking to Leah, and replaying the conversation with the doctor. There were no risks, and getting rid of the child would be as easy as trying a basic cocktail recipe. The decision was mine alone to make. There was no right or wrong answer.

But at that moment, five years ago, I’d never wanted something more than to be a mother. It was a terrifying prospect, but it called to me on a level I couldn’t explain.

And then I made a choice, because it was mine to make, and Ruby came into the world, wailing and screaming, with the bluest eyes I’d ever seen—a permanent and constant reminder of Shawn.

The years that followed weren’t the easiest, especially juggling a newborn baby and a sister who was fresh out of surgery. Numerous times, I’d held myself back from calling Shawn and letting him know everything that was happening in my life.

And another part of me was slightly upset that he hadn’t tried to contact me or come looking for me. He could find me in a flash if he really wanted to, because he was Shawn Elton, but he hadn’t. Still, I tried not to hold it against him, because I was the one who had left.

“I’ve got this,” Lucas announced, grabbing the picnic basket and the cooler with both hands, dragging me out of my reverie.

We’d all decided to have a picnic since it was a beautiful day out, and it was exactly what I needed.

“Show off,” I called after him with a chuckle.

He spun on his heel, gave me a wink, and continued on toward the open field where we would be having our picnic. Ruby raced after him, giggling playfully.

“God, he’s so smitten, it’s sad,” Coral said behind me. I rolled my eyes, stepping away from the car toward the field.

“He’s not,” I responded.

“He’s been following you around for five years now, Ally. Are you ever going to give him a chance?”

As much as I wanted to dismiss what Coral was saying, she was right. Lucas was more than just a coworker. I’d noticed the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t looking, and how much he cared for Coral and Ruby.

He didn’t want just friendship, and I could see that, but I couldn’t offer him anything more.

“We’re just friends, Coral,” I said, hoping she’d drop it.

“Sure, Ally. Whatever you say.”

I forced out a strangled chuckle, but my heart raced in my chest. It was true; Lucas and I were just friends. Or at least, that’s what I told myself. Lucas was everything any woman would want and more. He was kind, handsome, caring, and extremely sweet. But a part of me was still holding onto a love that had ended years ago.

I turned to Coral, stopping in my tracks. “What does that mean?”

“You know what it means. I don’t have to spell it out for you. I’ve been watching you two, and it seems like Lucas wants more than friendship.”

I knew he wanted more.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re imagining things, Coral. We’re just business partners.”

She leaned closer to me. “I’m not imagining anything. You’re still stuck on Shawn, aren’t you?”

I swallowed. “It’s hard not to be when there’s a constant reminder of him here.”

We both watched Ruby frolic around the field as she chased a squirrel, her giggles ringing around the park. Her brown hair bounced around her shoulders. She was very quick on her feet.

I looked away and said softly, “He’s in the past.”

“Is he really?” Coral asked.

I looked away, unable to meet her gaze. “I don’t want to think about him anymore. I came here five years ago so I wouldn’t have to live in the past any longer. I have Ruby, you, and an amazing job. I’m happy.”

Coral reached out and squeezed my hand. “Are you? Happiness isn’t about denying your feelings. It’s about acknowledging them.”

“I’ve been fine for five years. I’ll continue to be fine.”

Coral squeezed my hand again. “I’ll be here anytime you want to talk, but for now, I need to eat something before I faint.”

We both chuckled and headed over to the blanket where Lucas and Ruby were sitting. He’d laid out a spread of food for us and we quickly dug in, talking about everything that was happening in our lives as we munched on our food.

After we were done, Coral and Ruby raced around the field, leaving Lucas and I alone. We watched them for a bit as they laughed and ran around, chatting excitedly and playing catch.

“It’s gorgeous here,” Lucas said.

I smiled, agreeing. “I’ve always loved sunsets. There’s just something about them.” My eyes were fixed on the horizon, where the sun was slowly setting, the clouds bright with orange and pink hues.

It was breathtaking, and it was always a sign for me that something new was on its way. One of my favorite things to do was sit and watch the sunsets in their beautiful kaleidoscopes of color.

Lucas turned to me, his eyes meeting mine, holding a warmth that made my heart skip multiple beats. “There’s something about you too,” he said softly.

A blush crept up my cheeks and I looked away so he couldn’t see my face. “Oh, stop it Lucas,” I teased, hoping that deflected his attention.

But it didn’t work, because his gaze didn’t leave my face for one moment. “I’m serious, Arlene. You’re beautiful, gorgeous even. Strong, independent, and probably the best woman I’ve ever met.”

Uh-oh, why did this have to happen today of all days? I wasn’t oblivious. I knew what Lucas felt for me. But I’d selfishly hoped that he wouldn’t reveal how he felt, even if I knew I should have cut this off sooner instead of leading him on.

“Thank you, Lucas,” I responded.

He scooted closer to me, and his pinky finger brushed my hand slightly, sending a shiver through me. Maybe this could be something more? Maybe I just needed to give him a chance to figure out how I felt.

“I care about you, Arlene, and I think you know that.”

I swallowed, my heart in my mouth. “I know,” I admitted.

“Then you’ll know I want something more. Something more than this friendship,” Lucas pressed.

“Lucas—” I started, but he cut me off quickly.

“Before you say anything, just know that I haven’t stayed by your side all these years just to spring this on you. I genuinely care about you and love being your friend, Arlene. But I would also like us to be something more.”

I took a deep inhale. “Lucas, you’re a great guy, and you’re the reason I blended in so easily here. I have no idea what I would have done without you, and I’m so grateful for all you’ve done.”

He chuckled dryly. “Don’t patronize me.”

I chuckled too. “I’m not.” I paused before I continued. “Anyway, we’re just friends, and I really hope we can keep it that way.”

His smile faltered, but he didn’t give up. “Is that what you really want?”

Did I want to explore things with Lucas and see where it went? Did I want to finally sever that connection I had with Shawn and try something new?

“I don’t know,” I admitted, looking down at the grass.

“Is it Shawn? Ruby’s father?”

We’d spoken about Shawn a couple of times, so he knew who he was, and had probably guessed that I still had feelings for him.

I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “It’s complicated,” I managed to say.

He reached out and took my hand. “I know how complicated moving on can be, but just know that I’ll be here when you need anything. And I’ll help you move on when you’re ready.”

I smiled at him and squeezed his hand, just like a friend would. “Thanks, Lucas.”

Just then, Ruby and Coral came bounding toward us, looking exhausted from running around all day.

“Gosh, Ruby is so full of energy. I’ve been chasing her all evening,” Coral panted, holding her tummy.

I laughed. “She’s too fast for her own good.”

Ruby chuckled, twirling around. “I’m too fast for Mommy and Auntie Coral.”

I scooped her up, kissing the top of her head. “Yes, you are,” I said, tickling her as she giggled.

We packed up the plastic plates, bottles, picnic blanket, and cooler and headed to my car. Lucas and I stuffed everything into the trunk and shut it.

“We need to check out the bar before calling it a night,”Lucas reminded me.

“Sure! I almost forgot.”

We all got into my car, and Lucas offered to drive us to the bar. The drive there was filled with chatting, singing along to weird country music, and playing games.

“I’ll be right back, Rubes. Stay with Auntie Coral in the car while Uncle Lucas and I check on the bar.”

“Okay, Mommy,” Ruby responded. Shawn and I stepped out of the car and into the bustling bar.

It was evening, so the bar was getting quickly filled up. I smiled at the business that Lucas and I had created together. We made the usual rounds by talking to the bartender and then Gina, who managed the bar while we were absent.

Everything was running smoothly, so Lucas and I were about to leave when I spotted a man at the corner of the bar…a man with the bluest pair of eyes I’d ever seen.

My heart skipped a beat because for a second he looked really familiar, but he was thinner than the person I knew. And then I glanced back again, and without question, it was who I thought it was: brown hair, blue eyes, and a gorgeous face.

Shawn Elton.

I glanced at him briefly, my eyes squinting and my heart pounding in my chest. He looked completely feral, as if he was out for blood, and it scared me. This wasn’t the man I knew or had fallen for five years ago. What had changed him? What happened to him during those five years? I needed to get answers as soon as I could.