The time Elijah is talking about, we all spent the post-Christmas week together. The Frazer household had been a party hub.
I think back.
Was Darra paying attention to anyone other than Elijah?
He and I spent a lot of time together, locked in his father’s office. We’d started planning for the future. We were caught up in our own excitement. Robert and Francesca had just agreed to back us, if we put together a proper business plan. They promised to help us set up a potential investors meeting. My stomach flutters at the memory. I remember the camaraderie we shared that holiday, one that had continued into the next term, had led to us getting closer. It was at that time I realised I’d fallen hopelessly in love with him. Darra’s bombshell detonated in the March, and life changed forever.
I lean forward and wrap my arms around Elijah, resting my head above his heart.
He engulfs me in his arms, his hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.
“Does Lottie know?” I ask, pulling back and looking up at him.
“She overheard Darra and I arguing. She ran to Gabriel and Leah. They’re the only two other people who know.”
I look up, wondering why she didn’t come to me. As if sensing my question, he smiles sadly.
“You were out of the country. I checked your place first when she disappeared.”
“You haven’t told the rest of your family? Your Mum?”
I sit up and stare at him.
He averts his gaze, and I cup his chin in my hands until his eyes meet mine.
“Do you think your family would love her any less?”
His chin dips to his chest, his posture slumped.
“Elijah Frazer. Your family is the most accepting family I’ve ever met.”
He grimaces, and it’s then I see the truth.
“But you know that,” I say, as realisation dawns. “You were protecting Darra.”
He nods.
“Why?” I stare at him open-mouthed.
After everything.
He pulls back and stares at me.
“It was bad enough, I knew. Imagine if the rest of them found out. They would’ve wanted to protect me. I might have lost Lottie because they wouldn’t stay out of it. It wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.”
My heart breaks for the man before me.
“So you shouldered this knowledge alone. Oh, Elijah.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his lips to mine. He comes easily and sinks into our kiss, deepening it until we’re both breathless.
“I’m sorry, Pen,” he says. “I messed up everything.”
“Never be sorry. Thank you for confiding in me. And no one is going to hear the truth from me. But I think now the divorce has gone through, you need to tell your family.”
I don’t add that it will help them to understand the distance you put between you all.
Instead, I straddle him and let him know everything is going to be okay.
