Descent (Black Heart Romance presents Heaven & Hell)

Right?
I shake my head to clear it of the insane impulse to actually go to that restaurant. To truly meet
him somewhere public and safe so I can see more about who he is.
It doesn’t matter who he is, not after what he did to me.
Right?
Discomfort wraps around me with the snugness of a glove and I want to peel it off, so I need him
to leave.
Avoiding his gaze, I grab the drink he brought me and take a sip. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant.
Don’t send a car for me. I’ll feel more comfortable if I bring myself.”
He regards me carefully for the longest moment of my life. My heartbeat skitters and pounds
beneath his scrutiny. Finally, he reaches into his breast pocket and draws out a rectangular card.
I watch as he slides the matte black business card across the table. “Meet me here at seven
o’clock sharp.”
It feels like I’m getting away with something, but even knowing he doesn’t deserve my time or
my honesty, I don’t feel better about it. I take the card and slide it into my clutch. “All right.”
I wait for him to get up and go now that I’ve agreed to meet him, but he lingers. I swallow and
take another nervous sip of my drink.
“I’m trusting your word, Hallie. I’m hesitant to do that so soon, but I’ll take a chance this time. If
you prove to me that was the wrong call, I won’t do it again.”
His words send a shiver down my spine. They clarify expectations, promise repercussions. My
stomach flutters nervously, and for the craziest moment, I feel compelled to apologize and beg
forgiveness for trying to trick him.
Frowning at the odd impulse, I shake it off.
My chest is tightening and it’s getting a little harder to breathe. I need to step outside and get
some fresh air, but I don’t want to do it while he’s still here. I don’t want to risk him following me.
Desperate for him to leave, I nod quickly. “I understand.”
He nods slowly, then stands. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of Charity’s wedding.”
I feel like I’m on the brink of an anxiety attack so that feels impossible, but I nod hurriedly
anyway, hoping he’ll get the message that I want him to get lost.
He does.
I watch with a skittering heart and constricted lungs as he walks over to the girl in purple and
leans down to murmur something in his ear.