He swore under his breath and tugged me up until he could wrap his arms around my back. With my legs loose like Jell-O, I clung to him, trembling, as he supported most of my body weight.
My face pressed against his chest, and I squeezed my lids tight, halting the tears that beckoned. It was all so overwhelming, the fear and shock and now, the safety of his hold. As I regained my bearings, I took in his scent—like apple and basil, but warm too. Perhaps the warmth was from the feel of being in his arms. But it was comforting, the first time I’d found comfort since crossing the Atlantic.
His hands, though they held me, seemed reluctant to do so. And just when I felt them start to ease up, my legs started to feel more solid and I pulled away.
Had I really just embraced a complete stranger? I backed up a step, stumbling a little like a deer finding its legs for the first time. I looked up into his face, and he stared at me. He didn’t look angry, but he didn’t look entirely welcoming, either.
“Are you alright?”
I blinked at the question, which had come from Sam. Not the unhappy life raft of a man I’d held on to. I turned to look at him and swallowed before speaking. “I am. T-th-thank you.” I let out a breath and pushed my hand through my hair, laughing a little at myself. “I almost went swimming.”
“I think swimming is being too generous.”
Sam and I turned to the dark-haired man who’d spoken. He looked between us and shrugged. “You’re wearing a backpack, boots, and heavy clothing. You’d have sunk.” Immediately after saying it, he looked away.
“Ah, true. Next time you want to go swimming, wear something more appropriate.” Sam winked at me and put a hand on my shoulder. “Sure you’re alright?”
I nodded, eyes dancing over to the other man before I looked at Sam again. “Thank you. Sam, right?”
He smiled, that movie-star smile he’d been wearing when I’d first seen him. “Yes. And this is Ames.” He nudged his friend harder than necessary, which caused Ames to glare at him. “That was pretty shit luck, to be pushed over by that pickpocket.”
I couldn’t stop playing with my hair, thanks to my boundless nerves, the double shock of almost dying to now standing in their presence. With Ames doing his best to avoid looking directly at me and Sam smiling like I’d given him some kind of happiness.
“Well, you might’ve saved my life. Can I—”
“Then why’d you tell me to let you go?”
Ames’ harsh words stopped me. He looked me up and down before settling on my face.
“Because I thought I’d fall.”
“I said I wouldn’t let go.” He said it defensively, like he was angry I doubted him.
Sam pushed on Ames’ shoulder, causing his expression to relax. “I think you need a beer, my friend.” Sam looked at me. “And you do, too. Unless you’re more of a wine drinker? And what do people call you, besides ‘you’?”
Laughing, I shoved my hands into my coat pockets. “People call me Mila. And I think, right now, you could put anything alcoholic in front of me and I’d drink it.”
“Then it’s settled, Mila. Let’s get a drink and celebrate you not sinking to the bottom of the River Thames.”
Ames glared at Sam. “Really, Sam?”
“Lighten up, mate.” Sam slapped him on his upper back and winked at me. “I’ll buy.”
“Funny joke.” Ames gave him a look that Sam ignored.
“I don’t get the joke?” I hadn’t meant to say it aloud; I’d meant to ask Sam, but my eyes were on Ames when I asked.
“Because,” Sam began, pointing the direction we were to walk to grab a taxi, “Ames runs the pub we’re going to.”
There was a moment, slight as it was, where I questioned climbing into a taxi with two strangers in a foreign city. But the doubt dissipated as quick as a breath when Sam all but shoved Ames into the taxi, and held the door open for me to climb in after him.
Still, I texted my brother the address Sam gave to the taxi driver. Just in case.
Keep reading here.
More Books by Whitney Barbetti
All books are available on Amazon
STANDALONES
The Sounds of Secrets
Samson & Lotte
The Weight of Life
Ames & Mila
Hooked (dark romcom)
X & Lucy
Ten Below Zero
Everett & Parker
The Mad Love Duet
Six Feet Under (Book One)
Six & Mira
Pieces of Eight (Book Two)
Six and Mira
The Bleeding Hearts Series
Into the Tomorrows (Book One)
Jude & Trista
Back to Yesterday (Book Two)
Jude & Trista
The He Found Me Series
He Found Me (Book One)
Julian & Andra
He Saved Me (Book Two)
Julian & Andra
About the Author
Whitney Barbetti is a mom to two and a wife to one, living in the northwest United States, where she spends her days writing full time and keeping her boys from destroying her house. She writes character-driven new adult and contemporary adult romances that are heavy on the emotional connection. You'll most likely find her curled up with a good book and a giant glass of wine, with Queen playing through her headphones.
whitneybarbetti.com
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One Little Lie: a hate to love rom-com Page 38
