“It’s nothing that requires your interference, buddy.” Myles pokes a finger of his free hand in Lachlan’s direction, nearly bumping him. I suck in a gasp, praying Lachlan remains calm, knowing Myles is being purposefully antagonistic.
“I just want to ensure that my friend is safe,” Lachlan says, shrugging his tight shoulders nonchalantly.
Myles scoffs. “Not that it’s any of your business, but since I don’t see another way to get you to leave us to our discussion in private, here goes.” He throws my hand from his grasp with such force that I have to take a step backward. Once I right myself, with Lachlan’s gentle hands on my back and waist, I cradle it against my chest gently.
“Your…old friend…is under the impression that her job is more important than our relationship.” He spits the accusation at Lachlan before glaring down at me. “I refuse to take second place to anything. I’ve let it go, biding my time until you either grew bored in your silly littlecareer, or were let go for incompetence,” he sneers, glancing between Lachlan and me, noticing that Lachlan’s hands are still on me, offering support.
“This is neither the time nor the place for that discussion,” Lachlan says calmly, his eyes locked on Myles’ seething face. “And it’s the twenty-first century. Women are free to do and be what they choose.”
Lachlan’s lackadaisical attitude infuriates Myles. “Screw you,” he shouts, his face flushing bright red with rage. He turns to face me, leaning down to look me in the eyes. “And screw you, bitch. I could’ve given you everything. All I asked was to be the most important thing in your life. You just lost the best thing that’s ever happened to you. I can replace you like—” he snaps his fingers, “that.” He brushes past me, his arm hitting my shoulder roughly, before he strides through the door and, presumably, out of the school.
I feel tears pricking at the back of my eyes, desperate to escape. I manage to hold them at bay until Lachlan turns me to face him, using a finger beneath my chin to bring my gaze up to his. “Are you okay, Delaney?” he asks softly, concern lacing his tone. It’s the last straw and I melt into his arms, sobbing.
After a moment, I pull back and he wipes the tear tracks from my cheeks, grinning when I look up at him with shimmering eyes. “Your shirt,” I lament, seeing the wet spots from my outburst.
“It’s okay, Laney,” he croons, and I overlook his use of the nickname I used to love hearing on his lips. “It’s just a shirt. I couldn’t care less. But Idocare about you. What can I do?”
“I—I’m okay. I think. Thanks for coming to my rescue…yet again, Lachlan. I—I don’t know what I’d do without you.” The truth is painful, but I can’t deny it.
He gives me a beautiful, reassuring smile. For a moment, the noise and frivolity of the reunion around us fades away, and we’re left at an unexpected crossroad of our past and present.
SEVEN
LACHLAN
Iknew Delaney was going to be at the reunion. That’s why, until she ran into me, I was debating if I’d come. I’ve managed to stay away from her for ten years—not without having my moments of weakness. Yet, somehow, after only a few seconds in her radiant presence, my determination vanished and I was unable to stay away any longer.
After that, I knew I had to do everything in my power to win her back—no matter the cost. Things are safe now—well,safer—and it’s time to bring her home. It’s finally time to make her mine.
I noticed her the moment I walked through the doors, her radiance like a beacon, drawing and keeping my attention. I watched as she and her boyfriend mingled, making their way through the crowd of people. In high school, she was always that girl that was between groups and loved by everyone.
She’s no longer the girl I knew. Now she’s a woman with alluring confidence and curves in all the right places. The royal-blue dress she chose for tonight looks tailor-made, perfectly accentuating her beauty.
Beneath the happy façade, I sense a sadness—pain that she’s trying to hide from the world. Her eyes occasionally drift to the man beside her, but she’s unable to completely mask her hurt and disappointment when he ignores her.
I’ve watched them interact since they arrived and I can’t help but notice that he’s aloof, oblivious to her feelings. My research doesn’t indicate abuse, but he clearly doesn’t treat her with the care and respect she deserves. His disregard infuriates me, filling me with regret and jealousy.It should be me here by her side—me taking care of her.
As I’m about to make my way over to them, I’m intercepted by people I barely recognize. I make polite small talk for a moment, scanning the crowd searching for her. I excuse myself quickly when I see her being towed like a wayward child into a dark corner of the room.
I approach slowly, watching their heated exchange, catching bits of their one-sided conversation, but it’s enough to tell me that I need to intervene. The need to protect her rides me hard, closing the distance between us quickly. Realization washes over me—two thoughts at once. One, I want her to be happy more than I want my next breath. And two, I’m still in love with her—it never really went away, despite my distance.
I try to calmly reason with him, but her boyfriend—Myles—puffs his chest out, full of aggressive toxic masculinity—trying to incite an altercation. I know he’s an attorney—a good one—and I refuse to engage in any behavior that could send me away, keeping me from Delaney for another moment.
My control nearly snaps when he hurts her wrist. Instinct has me reaching for her, needing to touch her to keep from reaching for him. When he leaves, fury radiating through him, I pull her into my arms, offering her comfort, but also needing to reassure myself that she’s okay.
It’s not lost on me that this is the second time that someone has walked out on Delaney, and I curse myself for being responsible for the first time. It was the worst decision I could’ve made—despite making it for the right reasons—and I know I’ll never get that time back with her. Someday, Myles will recognize the stupidity of his actions, but it’ll be too late for him.She’s mine now.
When she’s no longer crying and her face is dry and smiling, I step back, just enough to look down at her. A new song starts to play and I take advantage of it to offer us both a distraction from the tension hanging in the air.
“Delaney, may I have this dance?” My tone is hopeful and I need to have her back in my arms.
Her eyes widen in surprise and she hesitates briefly before giving me a small nod. I hold out a hand for her and a small smile twists playfully on her luscious lips as she places her delicate hand in mine, my skin burning at the contact. We walk to the center of the dance floor and move to the beat, our connection intensifying as we gaze at each other.
We keep swaying when the music changes, unwilling to break the spell of our connection. A slow song starts and I pull her closer, relishing in the feel of her pillowy breasts brushing against my chest through the fabric between us. My cock hardens and I take a moment to focus on sad things, not wanting to scare her away with my ardent desire so soon after getting her back in my arms.
She stands on her tiptoes, tilting her head up and nuzzling my neck as she whispers, “Why did you leave, Lachlan?” She drops back down, laying her cheek on my chest, awaiting my response.
My heart seizes in my chest. I’ve dreaded the possibility of this question for ten years, wondering if I’d ever get the chance to answer it—if I’d ever have the right words to offer her.
