It doesn’t matter what Hattie says, because they’ll assume the worst and make her life a living hell again for it.
This time, though, I’m not letting them get away with it.
Clearing my throat, I tighten my hold on Hattie and turn to them. “We didn’t want to say anything before, but it seems like we have to make something clear.”
Hattie stiffens, eyes burning through me. But I don’t meet her stare. I direct this at her mother. “Hattie and I reconnected recently. We’re together.”
Hattie’s Mom gasps, the angry flush to Stella’s cheeks darkens, and the fiancé just looks…confused. I don’t blame him. I doubt Stella told him about her past with me.
For a moment, Hattie says nothing. Her confusion only lasts for a moment before she shakes her head and adds, “Sorry, didn’t seem appropriate to say anything before.”
She’s still stiff in my embrace, but at least the attention shifts from us for a moment as Stella storms off, Hattie’s mom following close behind.
The fiancé stares after Stella for a moment in confusion before saying, “Congratulations,” and walking away to find his bride.
I release a breath, turning back to Hattie, but she shoves me away before I can say anything. “What the fuck was that?” she hisses, stepping away from me. “What the hell did you just do?”
“I didn’t protect you from them before,” I reply, moving towards her. “And I sure as hell won’t let them get away with their crap again.”
Hattie runs a hand through her hair in frustration. “You have just made things so much worse,” she mutters. “I have to get out of here. I’m going back to New York. This is too much.”
Before she can walk away, I take one last step towards her, backing her into the wall of the barn. Hattie’s dark eyes widen, the deep green of her irises shifting in the light of the sun.
“I’m sorry,” I say, lump forming in my throat. “I should have said this to you the day you left for college. But I am so sorry for letting her get in the way of our friendship.”
Hattie’s gaze darts away as she shakes her head. “No offence, Cas, but this is too little too late. That was a long time ago. You chose Stella, and that’s fine. But I’ve changed, and this—” She waves a hand, releasing an exasperated breath, “—I’m not dealing with the drama this will bring. If you want to apologise, go tell them the truth. But I’m out.”
My heart sinks at her words. She’s right, and she has changed. The Hattie I knew in high school would have let Stella and her mom walk all over her. Would have apologised tothemfor Stella’s overreaction. She’d have followed her mother and tried to explain that what I said was a joke.
But she’d played along, even if it was for only a moment.
“Think about it,” I murmur, trapping her against the wall of the barn, one hand above her head, the other near her waist. Hattie sucks in a breath. “You saw Stella’s reaction. She’s pissed.Either she’s mad about me, or she’s angry you’re one-upping her.”
Hattie tilts her chin, eyes narrowing. Uncertainty glints in her eyes, but by the way she purses her lips, I can tell she’s thinking about it.
“You deserve to be seen by your family,” I continue. “Not overshadowed by Stella. You clearly want to be here, so don’t let them push you away.”
“I am a successful, single woman who has seen so many countries, met celebrities and fashion designers. But the only reason I was invited to this thing today was because Mom and Stella wanted a free photographer. I don’t even photograph weddings.” She shakes her head in disappointment, and I notice tears brimming her eyes.
“Then that shows how little they know about you,” I reply softly. Hattie meets my stare, the fight gone. “So, why not have a little fun? At the very least, it’ll show that poor bastard why he shouldn’t marry into your family.”
Hattie chokes on a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. “He seems…nice.”
I snort. “If Ma has learned anything from your Mother, it’s that he has money. And that’s it.”
“Yeah.” She nods, dropping her hand. “There’s a Bora Bora honeymoon awaiting Stella from what I’ve heard.”
I can’t help but lean in closer. “I know I sound like a jackass,” I say, bowing my head. Our lips are a breath apart, but she doesn’t move away. “And I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. What happened a decade ago…it shouldn’t have ever happened. But…” I stop. I don’t know how much she knows about my relationship with Stella, but I don’t think she knows the truth. Why I did what I did.
“Just know, I’ve always cared about you. Just you, Hattie,” I finish, eyes straying to her lips.
I’m close enough that I could kiss her. I’ve wondered what it might feel like; the idea has been playing on my mind for years.
Hattie sighs, gaze flickering from mine to where the others disappeared. Like she’s expecting them to reappear now. It would be perfect if they did.
They’d see me holding her against the side of the barn, our bodies pressed together, our lips inches apart, moments away from kissing.
It would sell the lie almost perfectly.
