Chasing Heartbreak: A Friends-to-Lovers Romance (Dark Love Series Book 6)

by Kat T. Masen

  His wife. Arrogant prick for reminding me.

  Beside him, Allegra studies me with a piercing stare. “Yes, of course.”

  Following Dominic, she leans forward to kiss both my cheeks. The guilt consumes me, eating away at my conscience. Allegra is no longer someone in the shadows. She’s living and breathing while clutching onto her husband for dear life—a husband who so quickly devotes his time to my body on his business trips to Paris.

  The silence between us begins to alarm me. What if she found out? Can she tell right now that something has passed between Dominic and me? In a frantic panic, the scent of Noah catches my attention, causing me to act quickly.

  “And this is Noah,” I blurt out, resting my hand on Noah’s shoulder. “My partner.”

  The moment ‘partner’ leaves my mouth, I mentally scold myself for being such an idiot. The boyfriend sounds juvenile, and my date is no competition for a wife. Lover seems inappropriate, so what else can I possibly say?

  Dominic’s expression is perplexed, yet he reaches out to Noah, who reluctantly shakes it.

  “Quite some woman you have as your date,” Dominic mentions arrogantly.

  Noah laces his arm around my waist, bringing me in closer before he moves my hair away from my neck and kisses it softly. My skin burns at the touch of his lips, but I blame it on the confrontation, crowded room, and the weight of the dress combined with too much champagne.

  “The one who got away…” Noah murmurs, lifting his gaze to meet Dominic’s, “… but now she’s mine.”

  Charlie’s eyes widen with surprise. The champagne she had been drinking almost chokes her, and she makes a gurgling sound while she tries to compose herself.

  Dominic’s distant stare lacks warmth—the jealousy eating away at him as Noah’s touch lingers on me. And Noah plays just as mean, goading him because he has absolutely nothing to lose.

  “It was nice meeting all of you.” Dominic’s tone turns stiff, his glare behind the mask unnerving. “Enjoy your time here. I’ll have a few more days in Paris as Allegra visits some friends in Venice. Have a good night.”

  With a final gaze, his deep stare portrays a thousand words unable to be said between us. The two of them walk away as Allegra slips her hand in his, turning her head for a brief moment to look my way.

  Quickly, I shift my focus toward Noah and force a smile, making sure I appear fine and not rattled by what just happened.

  “Um… right,” Charlie drags, her eyes worried. “Do we need to talk about this, or are you okay?”

  “Of course, I’m okay,” I lie, raising my lips with assurance. “I haven’t seen him in years. Too busy with work, plus I haven’t been back to Manhattan.”

  “The guy’s a jerk,” Noah grunts, pulling himself away from me.

  I turn to face him. “Look, I’m sorry I said you were my partner, a momentary lapse. I don’t know what I was thinking. Just acted in defense.”

  “He’s looking at you like a piece of goddamn meat.”

  Narrowing my eyes, laughter unwillingly escapes me. “Like you don’t look at women that way? Please, could you be any more judgmental?”

  Dropping his shoulders and ducking his chin, his sudden change of body language comes as a surprise. “No, Kate. I don’t look at women like that. I was married and gave my marriage all I could. It wasn’t my choice initially to separate, but sometimes life deals you fucked-up hands. So, before you think I’m like other men, perhaps understand why I made certain decisions before assuming I cheated on my wife, which is why I’m in this fucking mess.”

  I’m stunned, diverting my attention to Charlie for answers. She bites her lip, moving closer to Noah to console him. I can see the fire and rage within him, the anger which looks targeted at himself. But his admission makes no sense to me, and before I even have a chance to ask, he’s off to the bar with Lex following him.

  “What the hell was that?”

  “As I said, Kate, Noah’s in a bad place. I was hoping this trip would give him some breathing space, but maybe…”

  “But I don’t understand? Why did he mention cheating?”

  “Maybe, for tonight, we just forget. Drink and be merry,” she suggests, releasing a long, low sigh. “Tomorrow is a new day, and there’s time to ask questions. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so let’s be present.”

  Charlie’s optimistic ‘let’s live in the moment’ does nothing to curb my frustration. Sitting back at our table, the mood becomes somber. I watch Noah from across the room as he leans on the bar for support. Lex is pushing shot glasses toward him. It’s unlike Lex to make someone else drink their problems away. And although my worry for Noah deepens, I remember how easily he chose Morgan over our friendship.

  My drunken state does nothing but dredge up unwanted memories from my past. Wanting a moment to myself to regroup my thoughts while hazy, I tell Charlie I need to use the restroom.

  As I walk away toward the restroom, carrying the skirt of my dress in my hands rather than drag the massive piece of fabric along the floor, I turn the corner and see the sign. The closer I get, the more desperate I become to pee, wondering how I’ll manage in this gown.

  Releasing a breath to control my urges, a hand grips my arm, pulling me into another corridor.

  “Who is he?” Dominic’s nostrils are flaring like a crazed bull behind the gate, ready to attack. He lets go of my hand and rests it against the wall, purposely blocking my exit. The muscles on his face have tightened, a side to him I have never seen before. If I didn’t know better, someone is jealous.

  “Noah? He’s my fr…” I think about using the word ‘friend’ but what does it all matter, anyway? Dominic has Allegra, and our personal lives are just that—personal. “Someone very close to me. We go way back.”

  He runs his hands through his hair recklessly, ruining the perfect style he sported only moments ago. “Is he fucking you?”

  His tone is anything but calm—forceful with urgency as his eyes flare with anger like this is a problem. I don’t care for the possessive stance, not when my life never posed a question until now. And how dare he be allowed to spew this volatile assumption thinking I’m some sort of whore.

  The word is unnerving. It’s unforgiving with its meaning when used against us women. Maybe that’s who I have become. I didn’t seem to care he was married, nor that he could be sleeping with other women. I used him for my own selfish sexual needs, so it paints an incredibly clear picture. I’ve created a monster and fallen victim as his prey.

  “I’m not answering that because it’s irrelevant.” My tone remains controlled, refusing to feed into his jealous outburst. “What exactly do you want, Dominic? I thought we made the rules very clear.”

  The corridor is small and dimly lit. There’s an emergency exit plus an unmarked door. In the tight area, he paces back and forth with fists clenched beside his thighs.

  “I don’t like you here with him,” he almost spits.

  “Excuse me? You don’t like me here with him?” I repeat, tilting my head. “Where exactly would you like me to be?”

  He stops mid-step, the skin bunching around his eyes with a pained stare. “I’m leaving Allegra.”

  “Dominic, I—”

  His body falls flush with mine, pinning me up against the wall with a shallow breath only inches away. My armor stands tall, refusing to let him break me.

  Goddammit, why do men have to be such assholes!

  “I’ll be in Paris on Monday. Please meet me so we can talk.”

  “About what?” I cry.

  “Us.”

  My hands fall onto his chest to push him away. When he’s finally not crowding me, I cross my arms in defiance, ready to go to war. “There is no us! Jesus Christ, Dominic. You wanted us to be exactly how you set us up to be. I don’t understand why you suddenly want to talk?”

  There’s the sound of people coming toward us, laughing and giggling, then they disappear into the restroom.

  “Monday, please
?” He begs with his eyes. “Look, we’re both angry right now. No good will come of this.”

  “I need to get out of here,” I mutter, avoiding eye contact with him until he cups my chin and raises it to meet his gaze. His persuasive stare crumbles my tough exterior, the walls falling to pieces with a surge of pain following. “I’m serious. I need to go.”

  I push him aside, taking steps to walk away. He calls my name, unwillingly forcing me to stop. Taking a deep breath, I turn around and wait for him to revert to normal, tell me he drank too much, or apologize for his momentary lapse of judgment, but instead, he moves quickly to me and crashes his lips against mine with force. A moan escapes me, more of a desperate plea for him to back off as heat rises in my body. Pressing my hands back on his chest, I push him away, out of breath.

  “To quote your partner, the one who got away, but now she’s mine.” He breathes so close to my mouth, I can almost taste him again. “You never could break away from me, Kate, so perhaps you’ve been mine all along.”

  He walks away with a satisfied smile, but not before leaving me standing alone with his careless thoughts. I hate the truth behind his words. Perhaps, throughout our forbidden affair, I always came back because I can’t let go.

  And in just one night, all my worlds have come crashing down again.

  I’m back to three years ago, fighting my feelings for a man so unattainable and equally trying to maintain a friendship with someone else.

  They say you’re supposed to be wiser with age. I’ll argue that in a heartbeat, I’m back in the same old mess. The only way to solve the problem for tonight would be to enjoy the free liquor—the answer to everything.

  But denial will only get me so far. I’ve protected myself for as long as I can and created this untouchable side to me, which no one can reach. And deep down inside, I know my time will run out.

  Heartbreak is imminent.

  KATE

  We stumble out of the ballroom and back into the gardens.

  Partygoers are loitering in the area, many like us—intoxicated and barely able to walk. Some people are loud, still in party mode, while others look completely wiped out. Several choose to unwind near the fire pit, sitting in groups as dawn sets in, the promise of a new day setting in the morning sky.

  A large number of people drag their tired feet along the pebble-stone path, leaving the grounds after what has been one hell of a night.

  The four of us sit with the others around the fire, watching its flames burn against the fresh morning air. After Dominic’s interruption and Noah’s outburst, the night should’ve gone downhill from there.

  Until Lex bought the most expensive scotch and forced us to taste it. I tasted scotch several times, not minding it so much, though it was never my first choice to drink. Charlie, on the other hand, absolutely despises it.

  Nevertheless, scotch and champagne don’t mix. We’re beyond walking straight, which doesn’t matter since our time was spent on the dance floor. We laughed until our lungs hurt while tears streamed from our eyes. Our carefree nature attracted strangers to join our circle and dance with us. We became best friends, promised never to lose touch, and sung so loud our throats burned from the constant strain.

  Yet it all had to come to an end, and as we sit here trying to come down from the high, my feet throb in pain. I can barely swallow, a constant parched feeling inside my mouth that I’m unable to shake even as I drink water to rehydrate.

  The space around me has finally stopped spinning, with reality becoming more and more apparent.

  Dominic wants to leave his wife for me.

  And Noah is back in my life.

  How did this happen?

  “How do we move our feet to the hotel?” Charlie whines, resting her head on Lex’s shoulder, closing her eyes. “I’m so sore.”

  “Ten-minute walk,” Lex reassures her, though looking weathered himself. “Our clothes and toiletries have been delivered. We can get in a few hours of sleep before the car arrives at midday.”

  We make the dreaded ten-minute walk toward the hotel. To make it less painful, we reminisce about the night, making fun out of ourselves on the dance floor. The champagne and other drinks we consumed still run through our veins, making the walk difficult yet amusing at the same time. Noah trips over nothing. Charlie stops to puke into the fancy bushes aligning the path. When the hotel is finally in sight, we all sigh with relief and part ways to our rooms to catch a few hours of sleep.

  ***

  The ride to Mr. Auvray’s winery was the complete opposite.

  It’s a two-hour drive, but being utterly hungover on less than four hours’ sleep warrants complete silence. Thankfully, I organized a driver predicting the three of us would be in this state before I even knew about Noah.

  Noah is dead quiet. Wearing his sunglasses, his gaze lingers outside the window as does Charlie’s. Lex is fiddling with his phone, but even he looks tired.

  “Mr. Auvray’s vineyard cultures one of France’s best champagnes,” I mention, lightening the mood. “The vineyard has been passed down through the generations. His great-grandparents were the original owners.”

  “I can’t think of anything worse than champagne-tasting right now,” Charlie groans, sliding in her seat.

  “There’s also cheese,” I offer.

  “I thought you hated cheese?”

  “No, I love cheese. It doesn’t mean I need to date someone who makes love to cheese. You’re certainly grumpy when you’re hungover.”

  Another groan escapes her before she pulls out her phone and types a text. Seconds later, my phone vibrates. I give it a few moments, not wanting Lex and Noah to get suspicious.

  Charlie: Lex insisted on drunk sex. I hate him right now. I want to die. I’m so tired.

  I hold back my laughter, not surprised one bit by her admission. With Noah quiet beside me, I send him a text to see how he’s holding up, unsure if he still uses this number.

  Me: Are you still alive?

  He lifts his phone to read the text, typing fast before the text appears on my screen.

  Noah: Yes… just thinking quietly, so shut up.

  Some things between us never change. I decide not to push him further, sliding my phone into my purse and diverting my attention back onto the scenery.

  “What’s wrong?” Charlie questions, annoyed at our secret exchange. “What did Noah say?”

  “I, um…” I turn to Noah to answer as we’re caught in the act. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “What’s the secret between you? We’re all friends, so spill.”

  “If we’re all friends,” Lex repeats with his head still focused on his screen. “Why don’t you share what you sent Kate?”

  “Fine,” she huffs with exaggeration. “I’m exhausted, no thanks to you. Drunk sex is overrated, whereas sleep is not.”

  “If you think drunk sex is overrated, explain the two orgasms you had within minutes?”

  Charlie’s mouth falls to open the same time Noah groans, resting his head against the glass window.

  “Driver, how long until we’re there?” Noah almost shouts.

  The driver smiles as we turn down another long road. “One hour, monsieur.”

  And that’s the end of us talking during the car ride.

  An hour later, Auvray Le Champagne is in view. There’s something to be said about the countryside, it brings with it a sense of peace and serenity. Something I didn’t realize was missing from my life of late until now.

  Mr. Auvray is standing out front with his wife, Claudette, waving to us as the car pulls into the large circular driveway. With welcoming smiles, we all shake hands as I introduce everyone to him and his wife. Moments later, he motions for his staff to take our bags and offers to take us in for an introduction drink. The plan is to take a personal tour of the grounds later this afternoon, followed by a specially cooked dinner by his personal chef.

  We choose to spend the few hours we have to spare exploring th
e town of Champagne. There’s so much to see catering to different tastes—several bars from intimate and cozy to more sophisticated establishments that draw in a diverse crowd.

  The finest wines and champagne are the region’s specialties, along with the fantastic food each venue has to offer—a la carte menus and local culinary delicacies, a foodie’s dream with all the choices to suit any pallet.

  Yet, looking beyond the bars and restaurants, Champagne arouses the senses and showcases the best of France. It’s easy for our eyes to feast on vines parading up the hillsides, the smell of fresh air so easy to breathe in. Everything is beautiful, and as we walk along the streets admiring our surroundings, Noah clears his throat beside me.

  “Listen, about last night…”

  I smile at a couple walking toward us, shuffling closer to Noah to avoid running into them. “What’s going on with you?”

  Noah bows his head, keeping his hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans. He often raises his eyes to gaze ahead but will quickly revert to his closed state.

  “I don’t know,” he finally admits as Lex and Charlie turn around, suggesting we stop at the small café to grab some coffee.

  The intense dark coffee is exactly what my body needs to sober up before we go champagne tasting later on today. Savoring those first few sips, my lips relish in delight as the warm liquid graces them.

  After another hour of walking, my feet are on the verge of being numb. The caffeine begins to wear off as we make our way back to the chateau, making me incredibly grumpy. Sleep would be the perfect solution if Mr. Auvray weren’t standing out front waiting for us to commence our tour.

  The property is stunning. The architecture is exquisite, hand-built by his great-grandfather and uncle almost a century ago. Over the years, Mr. Auvray has spent some money updating the property, but it still can use some improvements to attract more guests.

  We walk through the fields while Mr. Auvray explains the harvesting of the grapes to fermentation. He takes us through the production facility, showing us the remaining process all the way to corking. Finally, he then walks us through the dark cellars where bottles of champagne lay flat on their side labeled as vintage.