Once Love, Double Betrayal Chapter 02

Once Love, Double Betrayal Chapter 02

Candy was already dressed.

The girl who usually tossed on oversized men’s shirts and acted like nothing could ruffle her had slid into a tight, hip-hugging skirt and put on heavy makeup. She looked like someone else entirely.

I stared at my best friend and couldn’t help asking, “Candy, are you seeing someone?”

I wanted to tell her the man didn’t feel right, to ask her to be careful. But whatever I said hit a nerve.

Her smile vanished and she looked at me coldly. “Claire, yes, we’re close—best friends—but you can’t decide who I’m allowed to date just because you want things to stay the same.”

“Claire Miller,” Candy snapped, temper flaring. “You really can’t stand to see me happy. I shouldn’t have taken time off work to help you prep for the mating ceremony. Claire, you’ve let me down.”

She grabbed her bag and turned to leave.

I ran after her. “Candy! I don’t want you unhappy!”

The elevator doors slid shut before she answered.

By the time I reached the parking garage, she was already gone. I stood in the empty lot, still reeling, trying to work out what I’d said that set her off.

Panic rose at the thought of losing her. Then I remembered the hotel location and the photo that man had sent: [Tonight, let’s do something thrilling.]

I was terrified she was being played. I was terrified she’d actually throw a cold shoulder at me. Candy was the closest person in my life—closer than my parents, closer even than Adrian.

I didn’t bother with a coat. Keys in hand, I drove straight to the hotel.

I pulled up and saw her car immediately. Just as I reached for the door handle, the scene that hit me felt like being ripped in two.

My breath stopped.

Adrian—who was supposed to be away on business with another pack—walked out of the hotel wearing the windbreaker I’d bought him.

He wrapped his arms around Candy like it was the most natural thing in the world. They kissed right there, in public, lost in each other and unwilling to let go.

I still could hardly believe the number had been his.

I refused to accept that he’d be with my best friend.

My hands shook on the wheel. Fear made me kill the engine and shrink back into the shadows, a thief watching someone else’s joy.

I watched Adrian pull Candy’s coat tighter around her and ask, “Cold?”

She smiled and shook her head. “Not with you here.”

He pinched her cheek, grinning. “How’d you get Claire to agree to you sneaking out tonight? She’s so clingy—how did you manage it?”

My chest tightened as if something had grabbed it; even breathing hurt. I looked at the two people I loved most, wrapped around each other.

Candy said, with that casual shrug that made me feel small, “All I had to do was throw a little tantrum and I was out the door.”

She nipped at Adrian’s throat and added, “What, you still don’t get how much Claire cares about me? Bet she’s freaking out right now—worried I’m mad, worried I’ll ignore her.”