The next evening, Elise got home from visiting Kristen and threw her purse on her kitchen counter. It had been a good visit. Kristen was doing well. Her sister and James’s news to his parents hadn’t gone very well either, but it had ended better than their conversation with Elise’s parents.

Kristen and James had sat Jennifer down and told her they were getting divorced, and she had taken the news amazingly well. Then again, Elise hadn’t expected much less from her awesome niece.

Kristen had asked Elise how she was doing, and she had ended up pouring her heart out to her sister. They’d cried together, and Kristen had agreed with Rachel one hundred and ten percent. Kristen hadn’t realized how much Elise had been affected by their parents, too. The two sisters had really bonded over everything they’d been through lately, and Elise had never felt closer to her sister. It was the one good thing to come out of it all.

Elise’s phone chimed with her text message notification, and she hoped that it was Luke. She’d been trying to contact him all day, but she hadn’t heard anything back. She pulled her phone out of her purse and saw that it was Nate. When she hadn’t been able to get ahold of Luke, she’d resorted to using his friend.

Nate: Hey, I found Luke.

Elise: You did? Why won’t he answer me?

Nate: I honestly don’t know if he’s looked at his phone much. He might be avoiding it.

Crap.

That wasn’t a good sign. He had to have either called Nate or answered Nate’s phone call. He had to have seen that Elise had texted and called him. She suspected Nate was trying to be diplomatic.

Nate: But, listen, I need you to get dressed and come downtown to the nightclub Pulse.

Elise: Why?

Was Luke even with Nate?

Nate: I don’t have time to explain, but if you care about Luke at all, you will come down here right now.

Oh no. What was going on with Luke? Was he okay? Had something happened to him?

Elise: You have to give me something. I can’t walk in blind.

Elise waited, but Nate didn’t reply right away. When he did, it only worried her more.

Nate: Promise you’ll come, no matter what.

Wild dogs couldn’t stop her.

Elise: I promise.

Nate: Ava’s here, and she’s trying to get Luke to leave with her. She’s using Luke to cheat on her husband. If this happens, Luke will never forgive himself. I need you to get your ass down here. Now.

Elise: I’m on my way.

Elise walked into Pulse, ready to take on the world. She’d put on her makeup, giving herself a sexy nighttime look. She’d found her slinkiest dress and her favorite heels. But, before that, she’d dressed herself in her favorite bra and underwear.

A few days after Luke had come to her house, she’d received a package in the mail with the underwear she’d lost at Luke’s all those weeks ago. He had sent a simple note with them.

Cleaning lady found these. Thought I’d better return them to you.

—Luke

Tonight, she’d put them on with the intention of giving them back to him.

Nate met her at the door, kissing her cheek. “Damn, girl, you look good. Luke is going to come just from seeing you.” Nate had to talk loud to be heard over the music.

Elise laughed and couldn’t deny that the compliment lifted her spirits. “Thanks, Nate. You know just what to say to a lady.”

“Yeah, well, I told Luke, if he didn’t marry you, I would.”

Elise swallowed and forced a casual laugh. She knew Nate and Luke had been joking around, but she still anticipated Luke’s response. “What did he say?”

“He told me that, if I touched you, he’d break both my arms.”

Elise couldn’t help it. She grinned.

“Come on,” Nate said. “Let’s go find Luke. Just giving you a warning. I might need to talk to him first.”

She nodded. That didn’t sound promising.

Nate put his arm around her. It was more friendly than sexual. It was easier to stay together with the crowd of people there tonight, and it seemed like Nate was offering Elise his support.

As they moved to the other side of the room, she saw Luke before he saw her. He was sitting in a booth, and there was a beautiful woman with long dark hair next to him. She was one of those lucky people who could have black hair and pale skin and make it look good. Elise had dyed her hair dark once, and she’d looked like a vampire. This woman also managed to pull off a deep red lipstick and made it look classy. And her breasts, which had to be fake, were on display in a fashionable way. She was way prettier than Elise, and she knew this was Ava.

Elise hated her on sight.

Part of it was jealousy, and part of it was because Ava had made Luke feel less than when he was way better than her.

Luke gently eased the other woman away, as if he was trying to be polite yet, at the same time, letting her know that he didn’t want her touching him.

Elise snickered to herself. Luke didn’t want Ava, even with Elise out of the picture.

The closer they got to the booths, the softer the music got, so it was a little easier to hear conversations over on this side of the room.

“Luke, my date is here,” Nate said with a joking voice as they approached.

Luke looked up from his phone.

So much for him not seeing my messages.

His look went from anticipation to what Elise could only describe as no emotion. His eyes were so cold that it made her want to get on her knees and beg for the old Luke to come back.

Elise quickly shook her head to let Luke know she wasn’t Nate’s date, but he stared right through her, and she began to doubt that it had been a good idea for her to come here. She didn’t know if Luke would hear her out.

Ava looked Elise up and down and then smiled, but it was filled with judgment, obviously finding Elise lacking.

Bitch.

“Ava,” Nate said, “I have to talk to Luke alone.”

“Nah, I think everyone’s said everything they wanted to,” Luke said, finally meeting Elise’s eyes.

Nate ignored Luke. “Ava, go.”

Ava huffed, but she got up. She looked at Elise. “We might as well get a drink.”

Elise looked to the guys.

Nate waved Elise off. “Give us five minutes.”

“Sure,” Elise said to Ava.

They walked away, and Ava introduced herself. She obviously had no idea who Elise was.

“I’m El—”

Some drunk guy crashed into Elise, almost knocking her over.

Ava gave the man a bitchy look, but he was too intoxicated to care. “Come on, Elle, let’s go.”

It was on the tip of Elise’s tongue to correct Ava, but she decided against it in case Luke had told Ava about her. Ava might be more open this way, and Elise wanted to thank the person who’d run into her.

They reached the bar and ordered their drinks.

“So, you’re dating Nate?” Ava asked.

“Oh no, we’re just friends.”

“That’s too bad. He’s a stud in bed.”

Elise almost swallowed her tongue. “You’ve slept with him?”

Ava smirked. “Yeah, after Luke and I dated.”

What a bitch.

Sleeping with Luke’s best friend was low. And Elise lost a little respect for Nate as well.

“Luke and you dated?”

“Yeah, for two years. Fucking best sex of my life. Too bad he wasn’t great outside the bedroom.”

Elise wanted to claw this chick’s eyes out. Luke was more than great outside of the bedroom.

Instead, Elise managed to say, “That is too bad.”

“Nah. I’m married now.” She wiggled her left ring finger, showing off her ginormous rock.

“So, what are you doing here—” Elise put her hand up. “Never mind. None of my business.” Except for the fact that Luke was hers, and he was her business.

“I found out my husband has a little side piece, and I’m all about getting even. I saw Luke here tonight and figured, if I’m going to cheat on my husband, I should do it with someone who knows what he’s doing. My husband has nothing on Luke when it comes to fucking, so his little mistress can have him as long as the checks keep coming.” Ava laughed.

Elise pretended to laugh, but it was really, really hard. How Luke could have ever dated this woman was beyond Elise.

“And, if Luke isn’t game, I figure Nate is a very close second. You don’t mind, do you? You did say you’re just friends.”

“No, I don’t mind.” Elise hoped Nate minded and turned Ava down. But there was no way Luke was sleeping with this chick.

The bartender brought their drinks, and they headed back to Luke and Nate’s table.

When they reached the guys, Luke stood up and grabbed Elise’s hand as she set her drink down. “Come on, Elise.”

“Elise?” Ava said as Luke dragged her away.

So, Ava had heard of her.

Elise smiled, shrugged, and gave Luke’s ex a little wave as he dragged her away. It was petty, but she couldn’t help herself.

Ava started after them, but Nate grabbed her arm. Elise focused her attention on Luke, wondering where he was taking her. He was still upset, the anger practically radiating off of him, but she couldn’t ignore how much she loved just being able to hold his hand again.

She hoped he would listen to what she had to say and forgive her because she missed him something awful.