There was no surprise when my mother stood up for her friend rather than me. “Tulya, leave it be. You know the rules, so what does it matter?”
“It matters because the last time I checked, Ceci was no longer in charge of ordering me around. I did your bidding once.” I squinted at the woman I used to sort of like and started walking again.
I didn’t care what she said. I knew all the reasons were rooted in Valerie not coming back.
“Because my granddaughter is here now. To stay.” Ceci closed the subject. “Welcome home to you.”
There was no parade, not even a thank-you.
Inside the car, I stared out the window, counting the minutes until I was home. I felt Caro’s gaze on me as I remembered the ride to the airport with Donovan. We’d been star-crossed enemies with a crush. Then, we became lovers and confidants for a brief time. And now I’d likely never see him again. Which left me heartbroken.
Sadness washed over me as the driver stopped in front of my cottage, the snow all melted and my tulips beginning to rise in front of the stone façade.
“Abraham will be over later to check on you. Your uncle will see you tomorrow for a full report of what happened. And later you will visit with Magnum and Blake, welcoming her to Rubia.”
That was it from my mother. I didn’t expect much more than a laundry list of tasks. In her mind, I was back to do her bidding as if I’d never left.
Tulya
“Court asked me out.” Prim sat on my couch, holding a mug full of tea, legs crossed, the fire burning across from her.
I was puttering around the kitchen, making myself a latte and trying to feel comfortable in Rubia again. It had been a long two days since I returned. Prim had been a mainstay for most of yesterday and it looked like it would be the same for today.
“When?” I turned to face my friend, mixed emotions roaring inside me. Part of me desperately wanted to be alone; the other half craved company. Although, if I was being honest, Prim wouldn’t have been my first choice. I loved her, and appreciated her being with me in this moment, otherwise I’d be crawling out of my skin. But still…the mind wandered.
“The other day, right before you got home. I ran into him at the gym. Ugh, of all places. I was so sweaty and stinky, and of course he wasn’t.”
“Even if he was, would you care?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Probably not. I swear, he’s been smoking hot since he was five.”
We’d both thought Courtney Wellington had been gorgeous since forever. He’d never so much as glanced at me, but Prim was fun and sexy. I was neither—certainly not now.
I sat down in the armchair across from her, careful not to spill my coffee. For the last forty-eight hours I’d tried to hide how much my weak hand had deteriorated. It made me long for my lonely hotel suite and the occasional visit from Marley.
So I tried to move the conversation into brighter pastures… “Are you going to go?”
She looked away. “I’m busy with you right now. This is my priority.”
Swallowing my own bullshit, I spoke. “Prim, look at me.” She did as I said. “I’m fine. There’s no reason for you to hide out here. Especially since Bruno never comes by—you know that. I haven’t even seen him since I’ve been home.”
“I’m not hiding,” she said, barely audible.
“You are, and we both know it. Bruno is broken; he’s never going to be fixed. And if he was, my mother is never going to allow it to be by you. You should say yes to Court.”
She pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t want to say yes to Court…”
I tried to subliminally beg her to go for it.
Except my neck began to get hot, and I couldn’t help the “No, no, no” escaping my mouth. I wasn’t sure how I felt about my powers returning, but if Prim was experiencing this type of heartache…
“Bruno and I, we had a thing. That’s why,” Prim began to say.
I nodded, and whispered, “I heard.”
Then I got up, despite knowing better, and moved next to my friend. Why? Her feelings had me burning up.
“Don’t touch me,” she stated matter-of-factly, her gaze boring into me. “I want the pain.” She brought the tea to coral-painted lips and took a sip.
