Chapter 13: Your Taste in Women Needs Improvement

"Why are you pulling me away? I'm just speaking the truth!" Monica snapped, yanking her arm from Julian. "I guarantee Serena Cole is still in love with you. She's just pissed you dumped her and found some random guy to pretend he's her boyfriend." "Monica! Enough!" Julian's voice cracked sharp, louder than before, and this time it wasn't just annoyance. It was anger. Monica spun toward him with wide eyes. "You yelled at me! Are you seriously still hung up on Serena? Is that it? Don't tell me you don't love me anymore." The fake tears were instant. Her lower lip trembled. She looked like a sad little puppy left out in the rain. Classic Monica. I almost laughed. That pathetic, manipulative act must've been what hooked Julian in the first place. She knew how to play fragile and helpless like it was an art form. And let's be real, some men love that shit. I wasn't that kind of woman. Never had been. Which is probably why Julian couldn't handle me. Arthur let go of my waist and walked forward, glancing at Monica, then at Julian. "Mr. Shepherd," he said with a dry smirk. "You might want to work on your taste in women." The words hit harder than a slap. I blinked. I hadn't expected Arthur to say that. So cold, so direct. But man, was it satisfying. Julian's face stiffened, pride clearly taking a blow. His expression crumbled for just a second. "Mr. Sandlin," Julian said, trying to regain some dignity, "I've got something to take care of. I'll be going." He grabbed Monica's wrist and stormed off. Naomi wasn't about to let them go quietly. "Yeah, keep walking. Any man Serena dates is automatically better than a cheating liar like you!" Once they were gone, my smile faded. I could finally let go of the act. I turned toward Arthur, feeling awkward all over again. "Thanks. For helping me back there." Arthur didn't smile. His eyes flicked to Naomi. "Ask your friend to leave. I want to talk to you." His voice was even, but it had weight to it. Enough to make my stomach flip. "I don't think there's anything we need to talk about," I said, grabbing Naomi's hand. "Thanks again, but I'm going." I didn't know what it was about Arthur Sandlin, but every time I met his eyes, my heart jumped. He had that kind of energy. The kind that could pull you in, mess you up, and leave you wondering what just happened. But just as I turned, Naomi suddenly let go of my hand. "You two talk. I just remembered something I need to do. See ya." And she was gone. Gone. "Naomi!" I tried to call her back, but she disappeared into the crowd like she'd planned the whole thing. Before I could bolt, Arthur caught my wrist. The next thing I knew, I was being pulled toward the stairwell. He backed me up against the wall. His body wasn't touching mine, but the space between us was charged. Tense. Intense. I could smell his cologne, expensive and clean. My heart pounded. I had been drunk that night, so drunk I barely remembered what happened. But now, in broad daylight, being this close to him was completely different. "Arthur... what are you doing?" His eyes pinned me in place. I wanted to move, but my feet wouldn't listen.