“Aren’t you drinking too much tonight? You don’t drink that much usually.”

Letting out a humorless chuckle, he gulped the second fill. “Situations change a man, Emerald. And this thing,” he pointed at the bottle, “can be quite a good friend when you’re all alone. It makes you forget everything.”

Guilt washed over me as I looked down. “Well, it can’t. Because even when you’re drunk now, it’s not helping with your problems at all. You still remember everything.”

He shrugged carelessly, filling his glass again. “Let’s not talk about the problems tonight. Let’s talk like the old days. I’ve missed our time back in New York.”

I smiled, twirling my bracelet. “I missed it too. Life was so simple back then.” And then Achilles Valencian appeared in my life. Like a storm, he turned my life upside down. And even it sounded insane, I still loved that storm.

He nodded. “I wish I could get those days back. Where there were only you and me. No one else.”

When I opened my mouth, a sudden dry laugh left him.

“I know, I know. I’m crossing my limits again. Sorry, I tend to forget the lines every time.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I took a sip. The sweet and bitter taste of it burned down my throat.

“By the way, did you tell your cousin to leave Arthur’s case alone? Because I don’t want him to get hurt.” I changed the subject. I didn’t want to argue with him on the night he was leaving.

He just nodded. Suddenly going all quiet, he just sipped on his drink and watched me.

Shifting in my place, I put the glass on the table. “I tried to call Sierra again, but her phone was unreachable. I really don’t know what to do—”

“Can you just stop it, Em? I thought we were having some ‘us’ time, like back in New York. And here you are, starting with your problems again. I’m tired of listening to all your problems now!” With his lips pressed tight, his voice turned demanding.

I just stared at him.

He had never behaved with me in that manner. Not even when he was in his shittiest mood.

Maybe it was the alcohol?

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, sorry. I was just a little worried for her.”

His mood changed again as he smiled. Adoration filled his eyes as they roamed me again. “I know. My Em is always concerned for everyone.” Sliding closer, he grasped my hand. “Did I ever tell you this color suits you? It brings out your perfect skin tone so gracefully.”

When his thumb brushed over my knuckle, I tried to pull my hand back, but his grip was firm. His eyes didn’t leave my face as he tucked a strand of my wet hair behind my ear.