Shadows Between Us

hloe stood behind the counter of her flower shop, her hands brushing absentmindedly over the delicate petals of white lilies. Her gaze d

morning, but her mind was anything but still. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't escap

oke her reverie. "You know you've got to stop

striding in with an umbrella in hand. Arya's dark eyes were sh

weak smile. "I own a flower shop, Arya. Obsessi

ng her arms. "Don't play coy with me. I know that

pausing mid-stroke on the li

do this to yourself, Chloe? After everything he did to you-everythin

ain it to Arya? How could she put into words the way Drake had cons

ake abandoned you-he left without a word. Do you have any idea how many nights I

hispered, her voi

l hold on? You're better than this, and you know it. And don't forget-you

about the wedding. She wanted to feel the kind of joy she knew she wa

good man," Chloe

rompted, her

bouquet in her hands. "But Drake... he w

nd reckless. He left you to pick up the pieces of your life while he disappeared to God knows wher

ant to admit Arya was right. She didn't want to admit that no matte

rying to be harsh. I just... I don't want to see you hurt again. You'

Both women turned instinctively, and Ch

e he

ak

ging to his sharp cheekbones. His stormy gray eyes locked onto Chloe with an intensity that made

e had

hloe felt Arya stiffen beside her, her p

wasn't even there. His lips parted slightly, as if

what to feel. The air between them crackled with tension, the weig

voice cold and sharp. "Well, isn't th

adable, before returning to Chloe. And then, with a voice

getting

like a challenge, like a

ldn't b

where it en