Shattered: A Salvation Society Novel Bella Emy (best ebook reader for laptop .TXT) 📖

questioning look. “Should’ve known? Should’ve known what?”

“That he’d turn out looking so hot! Damn, girl. He’s on fire!”

We chuckle, but I reach out, grabbing her arm. “Shhh!”

Erin raises an eyebrow. “What? Do you actually think he’s going to hear me?”

I shrug. “Maybe?”

“He’s all the way near the entrance. There’s no way.”

I nod. “I know.”

Her expression suddenly turns serious. “Hey, all jokes aside. Are you okay? We can totally get out of here.”

“And not finish these drinks?” I wink at her and she smiles. “I’m fine, really. I promise.”

“Okay, good. He wasn’t supposed to be back anytime soon.”

I wonder what brought him back before he was supposed to be.

I shrug. “It’s fine, really. I think it was just the first initial seeing him again that shocked my system. I’m over that now. I refuse to let Kalen have any more effect on my body, like he used to.”

She gives me a dubious look. “Yeah, we’ll see.” She finishes her drink.

I take a sip and then frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that although you may have come here thinking Kalen Starling no longer has any effect on you, things can quickly take a turn.”

I smirk. “No way, don’t be so sure.”

“Oh, I am,” Erin responds. “No one expected Kalen to look like this. Not to mention that he’s wealthy. But that’s besides the point. I wouldn’t be surprised if before we get ready to end this vacation, you’ll have your hands full of Kalen Starling… if you’re lucky.” She winks at me and then motions for the bartender to come on over.

“Erin, you have done lost your mind.”

I love my best friend, but she’s fucking crazy if she thinks I’ll let Kalen get to me ever again.

I quickly take a peek over at where Kalen was sitting, but am utterly disappointed when he’s no longer there.

Great. He’s probably keeping his distance from me as best as he possibly can. After running off at the rehearsal dinner, I’m sure he thinks I hate him still, even though we didn’t even exchange a single word.

But hate? No, I never hated him. I was infuriated by him after leaving me high and dry, sure. But never hated.

Oh well, I guess it doesn’t matter. He’s gone, and I doubt that even though this is his place and he’s here, I’ll be running into him again. I’m sure he’s going to be keeping his distance even more.

Erin can’t be more wrong. Kalen Starling and I are a thing of the past, and that’s the only place where the two of us will stay.

Chapter Twenty

“That was amazing, but now I’m stuffed,” Erin says. She throws back the neon green drink until the remnants are all gone.

It may be just me, but she’s looking a little green in the face.

After a fun day of swimming off the coast of Starling Paradise, we decided food and drinks were a must. I’ve never seen so many colorful fish in all my life. Not even all the times I’ve visited the aquarium had I seen so many different types and patterns. It was truly beautiful and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

I take a sip of my Strawberry Daiquiri. “Yeah, everything was great.”

Erin doesn’t look too good. The green hue in her face is getting stronger.

“Are you all right?” I ask.

She looks at me for a moment without saying a word, and then finally answers. “Actually, I don’t. I feel like I’m going to hurl.”

I knew it. It may be a bit too much alcohol and the mixture of new foods she tried. I’m not sure, but I’m definitely able to tell Erin just isn’t herself.

“Oh, no, girl. I knew it. I saw it from your face that something was wrong.” I give her another once over.

She brings a hand up to cover her mouth and retches. “Ugh, I’m sorry. I don’t know what it was or what did it, but I don’t feel right.”

I nod. “Let’s get back to the room.” I lift a finger to get the waiter’s attention so that he can bring over the check.

“No, no… you stay. I’ll be fine on my own…”

I take a good look at Erin, but there’s no indication in her facial features that she’s okay. There’s no way I’ll let her walk to the room by herself.

I shake my head. “Nope. I’m going with you.”

Once the waiter drops off our check and we pay the bill, we take off for our room. Thankfully, we settled on trying one of the restaurants on-site, so we’re not far at all.

As soon as we get into the room, Erin runs straight for the bathroom. I hear the sounds of her becoming physically ill. I cringe. I’ve never been able to handle vomiting very well. The acidic smell alone makes me want to hurl myself.

Once she calms down for a few minutes, I walk to the door and knock softly. “Erin, are you okay in there? Do you need anything?”

No response. Moments later, the door opens and she walks out looking as though she’s been to war. Her hair is messy, her shirt is dirty, and she’s slouching, walking directly toward her bed.

“I t-think I’m d-dying…” she murmurs.

I feel so bad. She certainly does look like death. I walk over to where she is right before she hits her bed. “Oh, no, Erin. Let me help you change.”

I help her get out of her clothes and into her pajamas, consisting of a white T-shirt and navy-blue cotton shorts. Once she’s changed, she crawls into bed and I lift the covers over her. She’s out within five seconds.

I take a deep breath and look around. My eyes catch a glimpse of the clock on the wall and I sigh. It’s only just after eight in the evening, and no way do I feel like going to bed right now. We’ve been here less than a week, and I sure as hell want to enjoy my time. I know once I get