Read Online Heart's Duo (Ugly Eternity #4) by Charity Parkerson - Free Book Online Page B

Hawke.”
    “Maddox didn’t cheat on Hawke,” Jamie repeated, sounding stunned. Sophie didn’t bother looking his way. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Joss’ face.
    “Of course, he didn’t,” Joss snapped. “Give the guy some credit.”
    His defense of Maddox made her eyes sting. All the things that had gone unsaid since she’d walked away from Dylan and Cade’s reception, clogged her chest. “I saw you kiss him,” Sophie said, ashamed of how her heartache shone in every word. Never in a million years did she want him to have the satisfaction of knowing he’d hurt her. A muscle in his jaw ticked.
    “I know. I meant for you to see us.”
    Sophie shook her head. It was obvious he didn’t understand. “I saw you when you kissed Maddox. Perhaps, in the beginning, you hoped Maddox would fail so Hawke would turn to Jamie. I also think, at one time, you felt something for me. At least, I hope you did,” she added, almost too quietly for anyone to hear because it hurt. Hawke’s hand found hers beneath the table. As his fingers squeezed hers, Sophie swallowed past the burn of her confession and the knowledge Hawke was still on her side even if he was angry. “I felt something for you too, but I saw your face when you kissed Maddox. I saw you .”
    Turning away, Sophie carefully avoided Benton’s gaze. She could feel him watching her, but she was barely holding her shit together as it was. If she looked and saw his disapproval one more time, she wouldn’t make it. Instead, she focused on Hawke, surprised to find his face swimming a bit before her eyes. Sophie blinked. No way in hell would she cry. She had no regrets.
    “I’m sorry.”
    A sad smile touched Hawke’s lips at her apology. “Yeah. Me too.”
    Draping his arm across the back of her chair, Hawke settled deeper into his. After a full minute of staring into space, he brought Jamie’s hand to his mouth and held it there as if silently reassuring the man nothing had changed. No one said a word nor did they leave the table. With a deep breath for courage, Sophie finally met Benton’s stare. He dipped his chin. The tightness in her chest eased. She’d done the right thing.

Chapter 4
    Joss tapped his knuckles on the door frame before he could wuss out. He’d done everything he could think of to avoid this moment. After the dinner debacle, Joss had gone out and explored London by night. With zero sleep under his belt, he’d waited for Jamie to get moving for the day before talking things out. Now, there’s was no more hiding. Sophie and Hawke glanced over at his interruption. There wasn’t an ounce of malice in Hawke’s eyes. There should’ve been, but there wasn’t. Sophie, as always, barely spared him a glance before dismissing him. He couldn’t blame her.
    “Can I talk to the two of you for a minute?” Since they were sitting in the middle of the living room, it seemed almost ridiculous to ask. He didn’t feel welcome, and this was more than a chat.
    “Of course,” Hawke answered for both of them. “Jamie tells me you’re leaving. I hate you can’t stay until at least after Christmas.”
    Shoving his hands in his pockets, Joss crossed the room. He’d been so uncomfortable since arriving, he didn’t even feel he could sit. Instead, he ended up hovering over the pair. “It’s nothing personal.”
    Hawke flashed a sardonic grin. “Sure it is, but I’m not offended.”
    Joss blew out a sigh. He always felt like an asshole when it came to Hawke. Sophie still wouldn’t look at him. “I’m sorry,” he said before he could back down. “For everything,” he added, in case Hawke didn’t understand. “I’ve thought about calling you thousands of times to apologize, but nothing I thought up seemed…” Joss floundered, incapable of finding a word strong enough to describe how much regret he carried daily.
    Hawke saved him from trying. “I’m not.”
    Joss nodded, at a loss. “Okay. Good talk.” He started to walk away,