Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 529

She smiled then, bright and open, and the warmth of it landed somewhere under my ribs and stayed there. I wished her happiness did not have to run through Tasha so completely.

When I finished eating, I stood and carried my plate to the sink. "Thank you for the food," I said. "I have to get back to work."

Her face dimmed, just a little, and I caught it before she could hide it. I frowned. "Are you sad to see me go?"

She laughed, a small easy sound, and started to answer me, and I did not wait for the answer. I pulled her into my arms and hugged her, my chin resting against the top of her head, and I held her there a beat longer than I meant to. When I let go, she was still laughing, and she shook her head at me.

"Do not think too much about it," she said. "I am just worried. Tasha should have been back by now, and she is not."

I almost rolled my eyes. Of course it was Tasha. I said goodbye and walked out of the house, and when I got outside I saw her. Tasha stood by the wall, leaning against the brick as though she had been waiting there for a while, and I wondered how long she had been standing there and why she was out here when she knew Scarlett was inside waiting on her. I decided I did not care. I walked toward my car and pretended I had not seen her at all.

"Sparrow."

Her voice stopped me. I stopped by the car and turned, and she walked quickly across the driveway toward me, flashing a smile that did not reach her eyes.

"What is it?"

"I wanted to apologize." She clasped her hands in front of her. "For last night. When I think about it, I crossed a line. I acted out of character because I thought it was what you would want. I feel embarrassed just remembering it. I must have put you in a very uncomfortable position, and I am truly sorry."

"Now listen to me, Tasha, and listen carefully. Do not get any ideas about me. If you are going to apologize, then be sincere, to me and to yourself. Because I am going to tell you something plainly, and you are going to remember it.

Scarlett is the only woman I desire, and that is not going to change. As for you, even if Scarlett were not in the picture, you would never be a second choice for me. Not now, not ever. I want you to burn that into your memory."

Her smile faltered, just for a second, and then she nodded and said nothing.

I got into my car and drove away.