Page 6 of The Pack's Knotty Runaway
“For what it’s worth,” he says, “it was an honor to meet you, Luna.”
The way he says my name does something to my chest that I don’t have time to analyze.
“It was... yes, it was really nice to meet you too. I’m sorry about—”
BANG BANG BANG.
“Luna, I swear to God—” Derek shouts.
“—about all of this,” I finish.
“Go,” Ash says, gesturing toward the hallway. He steps out onto the stone patio, turning back. “Actually, can I get your—”
SLAM!
Oh crap, I didn’t mean to close the door. I thought he was done talking.
Through the glass pane, Ash stares at me for a beat before letting out a brief shrug, his lips flattening into an amused, resigned pout.
Damn, was he about to ask for my number? I do want to see him again and—
BANG BANG BANG.
“LUNA!”
Fuck, I don’t have time. Idon’t have time.
I yank the curtains shut over the glass pane and scramble into the bathroom to snatch a robe. Tying the belt on a dead sprint back across the room, I crack the front door open.
“Hi. I overslept. My phone died and—”
Derek pushes past me.
“Whoa.” I plant a flat palm hard against his sternum before he can take another step. “Derek, you can’t just—”
“Why did it take you so long to open?” He asks, head pivoting, auditing the room. His eyes sweep the bed, the twisted sheets, the gold wrappers on the carpet, my discarded dress.
“Because I was asleep,” I say, my voice rising. “My phone is dead so my alarm didn’t ring and I ate—.”
“Is someone in here?” He looks toward the bathroom.
“No.”
“You sure about that?” He tries to skirt around me, but I sidestep directly into his path, slapping my hands back onto his sternum.
“Derek, stop,” I say. “No one is in here. And even if they were, we split up. We are not together.”
He looks back at me, his nostrils flaring, his eyes narrowing. For a long beat, he just holds my gaze.
“You look like a mess,” he finally says, his voice flat. “Come on, clean yourself up. Mira’s mother is already asking why we’re not at the venue. I’ll wait in the lobby.”
4
Luna
“You lookstunning.” A wedding guest squeezes my arm.
“Radiant,” Mira’s mother agrees, pressing a cold hand to my cheek. “Doesn’t she look radiant, Derek?”
