Read Online When the Heart Lies by Christina North - Free Book Online

realized finding Drew was the last thing on Wayde’s mind. His whole demeanor changed within a week. I wanted to go home, but by then I felt too embarrassed to crawl back, and Wayde was making leaving difficult. I let things carry on too long. I wish the tickets had never come. When I told Wayde I’d come if he purchased them, I didn’t think he’d take me seriously.”
    He laughed playfully. “Maybe I should’ve given you the ‘she’s too crazy for me’ test. Just kidding—sorta.”
    She laughed with him. “Crazy, I know. Things were bad at the time, though, and when Wayde offered to help find Drew, I started feeling a connection with him. Plus, I needed to get away. Now, things are even more of a disaster.”
    “Why didn’t you stay in New York, remain separated, and work on things? You put yourself and your son in a lot of danger. You seem smarter than that.”
    “Yeah, well, I’ve done dumber things.” She said animatedly, accompanied by her shaking head. “Look, it’s complicated. My concern isn’t with Nick and me. It’s about Max being with his father. Wow, sorry. Rule number one, don’t talk about ex’s on the first date.”
    “Is this a date?” It was a hopeful statement but came out sounding questionable. He squeezed his eyes closed and grimaced with a half shake of his head for making the remark. “ I guess it is, and it’s unique like you.” He hoped to ease her embarrassment.
    She lowered her eyes. “I’m not sure what this is. I don’t know why I said that.”
    “I guess what matters most is we’re here. More wine?”
    She nodded, and he poured. A little too often.
    “You’re a good listener,” she said, adding a shy smile.
    “When I’m interested. With you, it’s the unspoken thoughts I’m curious about. Obviously, you don’t like this guy. Are you safe with him?"
    She lowered her head slightly and waived the comment away. “I’d rather not talk about Wayde.” Her forefinger began to trace the pattern of the watermark on the table beside her. After a few circles around the mark, she sighed, appearing bored with the distraction. “I wanted to call him today.”
    “Wayde?”
    “No, Nick. I guess I wanted him to rescue me. I need to stop expecting a rescue. I’m realizing I should try to get out of this predicament on my own and forget about Nick.” She blinked, and he could tell she held back tears.
    He swung his feet from the top of the table and leaned forward holding his hands between his legs. “My interest is piqued. You said you’ve done dumber things. What could be crazier than running off with a stranger?”
    She rested her elbow on the arm of the chair, her hand cradling her forehead. She kept her head lowered when she spoke. “On my knees, swallowing a bottle of pills, crying like a beggar for my husband’s love.” She lifted her head, and her eyes met his. “Did I really just say that to a stranger?”
    Holy shit. It was quite a disclosure. He extended his hand, beckoning her with two fingers. “Come.”
    After a moment, she got up from the chair and went to him. He took her hand. Their eyes connected. He could feel the bond, and all at once, it made him whole and broken at the same time. For a woman so beautiful, she had little confidence, and after sharing her reasons for being there, he wasn’t surprised.
    He patted the space beside him. “Sit with me.”
    She sat down beside him, keeping her head lowered a bit. He pulled her close. Her gaze met his, and tears started to roll down her bright red cheeks. He could see she was humiliated. He lifted his hand to her face and wiped the tears with his thumb. His eyes drifted toward her lips. He held back the desire to kiss them and instead pressed his lips to her forehead. “You’ll be okay.” It was his job to make sure she was. They talked intimately a while longer, and he continued holding her; she drifted off to sleep. Her lightweight body relaxed and sank deeper into his arms. Eventually, he