“Sierra, are you alright?”
His eyes flicker dangerously to Kai, his jaw clenching.
“I said to leave it.” The tone in his voice makes me halt for a brief second, allowing myself to remember what it’s like to be in his arms.
No, Sierra.
I move back, but in my haste to leave, I forget the tears I’m fighting so badly.
They spill down my cheeks, hot reminders of the past and what could have been.
Crane frowns, his hand moving to brush them away as I shake my head.
No.
He can’t touch me. If he does, I’ll—well—I’ll probably die.
It’s a bit extreme, I know, but his touch makes me dizzy.
Still.
“I’m sorry,” Crane mumbles, releasing me. He steps back, a cold gaze replacing the concern he’d worn only moments earlier. “Excuse me.”
Crane heads back into the kitchen, and I hear my brother muttering something that sounds like an explanation.
Somehow, I make it to the bathroom, it’s gleaming white tiles and pine-scented air freshener greeting me soothingly.
I feel like I’m going to puke.
How does he still have this effect on me?
It was a one-night stand.
Until it wasn’t.
I grip the sink, concentrating on my breathing.
Crane Michaels is here for Kai’s wedding.
Nothing more, nothing less.
He’s apologised.
“Come on, Sierra, you’re grown,” I whisper to myself in the mirror. “You’ve got a boyfriend. Everyone has moved on.”
A wave of unease washes over me but I push it back, refusing to be victim to my childish memories.
I’m Lorena’s maid of honour, and I should be focusing ontheirhappiness right now.
Not mine, or lack of it.
I stare at my reflection, ignoring the teenage dreams that haunt my eyes.
“You’regrown.Stop this.”
Time to be a grown-up.
TWENTY-SEVEN
