Free Breaking Through (The Breaking Series Book 3) by Juliana Haygert Page A

out as they exchanged silly pleasantries, and watched as Reese walked away, trying to decide what to think of this encounter. I took a deep breath, shutting down the tingling fear that always assaulted me whenever a guy showed interest in me or was close enough to do harm, and thought for a second. Reese was cute, and as a professional polo player, his physique was in top shape too. He seemed kind, polite, and into me. But was that enough? Enough to help me push back my fears so I could feel more for a guy? For him?
    I wasn’t sure. I didn’t think I would ever be sure. I even had this nagging feeling that if Liam Hemsworth dropped in front of me from the sky, professing his undying love, I still wouldn’t be sure.
    My mother started talking about Hannah’s upcoming wedding, of course, and Eloisa seemed interested in it. Bored and trying to find an excuse to leave, I looked over the club, not really searching for anything. Until my eyes crossed one of the paths going to the main parking lot and found Gui stepping out of his Jeep.
    For some reason, the Fernandes boys didn’t like to dress up to come to the club, even though it was a rule imposed at every corner—except to them. Gui was wearing jeans, a polo shirt, and cowboy boots, and he carried a white and dark blue bag with the Montenegro logo on it. He walked with an easy gait, and still looked confident, masculine, and handsome.
    I inhaled sharply as his eyes found mine, and one corner of his lips tugged up. My heart sped up, and I stifled a gasp when I realized it wasn’t from panic.
    Despite my best efforts to remain impassive, I smiled at him. Until a shadow caught my sight, and I looked past him.
    Lucas had just arrived too and was walking up the path a few feet behind Gui.
    The smile faded from my lips. A knot appeared between Gui’s brows, and he looked over his shoulders. He halted upon seeing Lucas and waited until Lucas was right beside him to keep walking. They started chatting and Gui didn’t look at me again.
    I focused on my mother and Eloisa. They were now discussing honeymoon options. My mother thought Hannah and Leo should do a classic trip through Europe, while Eloisa thought they should do something more exotic, like going to the Maldives or some other stunning beach.
    Okay, I was done. After coming up with an acceptable excuse, I bid my mother and Eloisa good-bye and walked to the parking lot, eager to get away from here.
    I was nearing my car, keys already in my hand, when someone called me.
    “Hilary, wait.”
    I turned around and saw Lucas jogging toward me. Images of the engagement party flashed in my mind and panic rushed through me. Clutching the keys, I stepped back, bumping into my car.
    “H-hi, Lucas.”
    My expression was probably of a scared woman, because he halted a good distance from me, his hand turned up as if in surrender.
    “I just want to say I’m sorry.” He shook his head once. “I don’t remember anything about that night, but Gui and Malcolm told me what I did. I’m so, so sorry.”
    My palm was wet around the car keys. “I-it’s okay now. Thanks for apologizing.”
    “I know there’s no excuse for it, but I want you to know that I usually don’t drink that much. It’s just … my girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, had just broken up with me the day before, and I was … I wasn’t in the right state of mind. That mixed with too much alcohol …” He ran a hand through his hair. “Not good. I’m really sorry.”
    I nodded. He was right. It was no excuse, but it made me feel a little better to know that he usually didn’t drink that much. Hopefully, he didn’t try to kiss every girl who crossed his path at parties and clubs.
    “Okay,” I muttered, not sure what else to say.
    “All right. Yeah. I just wanted to apologize.” He started turning around. “I need to go …” I nodded again and he waved me. “Bye.”
    Lucas jogged back to the club. Stunned and still a little shaky, I kept watching him and, in