And the Sweet (Addiction Series Book 2) Read Free

I’ve been here so long.
    The lights change, lifting to expose more of the restaurant indicating the place will be closing soon. I duck back toward a corner, not wanting my presence to be discovered while trying to continue watching the action at the bar.
    There is a group of guys still standing at the bar. They look college age, with pressed khakis and shirts making them look every bit the douche I know them to be. I see Melody flirting with a couple of them, her hand lightly touching one’s arm before she laughs bright and fake at whatever is being said. Turning my attention back to Celia, I see the way she’s trying to maintain a smile, trying to maintain conversation but appears to be struggling.
    She runs a rag across the bar, nodding her head and occasionally speaking but she’s not making eye contact or giving anyone the attention her coworker is. And then she looks up and toward the door and I’m glad I moved otherwise she would have seen me in my original spot. As it is, I see Trey move across the room, his large presence causing people to part like the Red Sea. As soon as he reaches the bar, he claps a hand on two of the guys and informs them the bar is closed and it’s time to leave. He does this in a way that is friendly, so the guys don’t give him shit, but I can see they want to stay and continue talking with Cecelia even though she isn’t paying real attention to them.
    With slips of paper left behind in front of her, they give her interested smiles before heading away, taking the guys talking to Melody with them. With a heavy heart, I see Celia ball up the numbers and toss them too before giving a thankful if exhausted smile toward Trey.
    “I’d do anything for you, baby girl. You remember that.”
    Celia smiles brighter this time and my heart twinges. Part of me wonders if the reason she pays no mind to the numbers coming her way is because of this. Because of Trey. Perhaps they are together now. Perhaps she’s moved on from me completely. Moved on, left me behind like I asked her to.
    Like I all but demanded she do.
    There’s only one way to find out.
     

 
    TWO
     
    I think I’ve paced the entire block three times by the time the staff of Coco Pazzo finally emerges. It’s just after midnight and though it’s winter, the night is thankfully not bitingly cold. I stand off to the side, hoping to be out of view so I don’t look like a fucking creepy stalker or serial killer.
    Groups are huddled together, conversing about their night, what their plans are for the following day until their next shift starts, and whether or not they should go get pancakes before heading home.
    It takes ten full minutes of watching people exit the front door before Cecelia and Melody leave. The bouncer, Trey, is at the door as they step out.
    “You girls good to get home?” he asks them. I watch him pull keys from his pocket and lock the door, shutting the fence too.
    “We’re good, big guy. Tips were good so we’re taking a cab tonight,” Melody smiles at him before lifting on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek, making him blush bright red. I really don’t think I’ve ever seen that shade on a human. Though Trey is a pasty white guy, so I guess maybe it’s possible. But more than that, his reaction to Melody has me wondering about his association to Cecelia. Wondering if I misread another situation.
    “Okay, well, call me if you need anything.”
    Both girls nod at his imposing posture accompanied by what appears to be a very affectionate smile.
    “See you tomorrow.”
    I’m momentarily startled, forgetting everything I was just thinking.
    Cecelia’s voice is quiet, barely a whisper. The rasp is still there; in fact it seems more pronounced. Before it had only ever sounded like that when she was upset and crying. Or really excited about something. But this, it’s the first time in months I’ve heard her speak and my breath is lost. My heart begins thumping, my skin prickles under a cold sweat