Page 132 of A Vicious Love

I wished I had not said anything. Stayed at Weston’s table, drinking pale pink cocktails and laughing at jokes from men who did not make me feel foolish for hoping.

“In the car,” I whispered.

“Sienna.”

“You kissed me.”

“I was drunk.”

The whole back seat, the heat of his hands, the way I had felt chosen for the first time in years.

I was drunk.

Of course Jamison kissed women when he was drunk. He probably kissed women without thinking.

Maybe he remembered and wished I had forgotten.

My cheeks burned.

“I know,” I said quickly. “I know you were.”

His mouth tightened. “Then don’t make it into something it wasn’t.”

The truth, delivered in Jamison’s usual brutal way.

I had taken one drunk kiss from a man who had spent three years showing me exactly how little he wanted me and turned it into a reason to hope.

My eyes stung.

I looked down at his whiskey glass because it was easier than looking at his face.

“I’m sorry,” I said, then remembered he hated that too. “I mean… I understand.”

I could feel everyone around us holding still. That made it worse. I had not only misunderstood the kiss. I had misunderstood it publicly, in front of his family, at a harbour event where half of Harlan already knew how to watch women fall apart politely.

I forced a smile.

“I didn’t mean to make it uncomfortable.”

“That seems to be a habit.” Jamison’s expression turned unreadable.

The tears came so fast I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop them.

Emmie’s hand touched my arm. “Sienna⁠—”

“It’s fine,” I said brightly. I smiled anyway because stopping would be worse. “I’ll go sit where I’m meant to.”

Jamison’s eyes sharpened, but he said nothing.

I stepped back.

“Enjoy the evening,” I said to no one in particular.

I walked away…my face felt too hot. The silk dress suddenly seemed too fitted, obviously chosen by another Crow while the man I had thought might want me there could barely tolerate a question.

The worst part was the kiss.

That was what I understood as I crossed the terrace.