Of course he didn’t. He came to protect Emelee, despite whatever she’d lied about.
My life would be void of any such scenes orchestrated for me. A life of isolation was my destiny.
Tulya
“Did we have to go out?” I spoke a touch above a whisper to Prim, who was sitting next to me in a maxi dress and gladiator sandals, looking on top of her game.
“We did. I know you’re a homebody, but there is only so much sulking one can handle.” She stared at me, presumably taking in my skinny jeans, black tank, minimal makeup and my hair down rather than pulled back.
I didn’t respond to her comment or perusal, instead I took a sip of my Malbec. It had been a long day with the whole “Emelee’s feelings” situation.
“You’re not still upset over what happened with Bruno? You had to know it would happen eventually. I’ve been pining for him since we discovered boys. And let’s be honest, he needs someone who loves him for him. I’m good for the man.”
Another sip of Malbec as I looked around The Toasted Onion. It was one of a handful of taverns we had in Rubia. If I had togo out, it was my favorite place to go, which was why I suspected Prim chose it. It was lined with shelves filled with books and knickknacks, and chandeliers made of candelabras hung from the ceiling. It was Beauty and the Beast meets shabby chic.
I smoothed an imaginary stray hair; I’d straightened my red hair to within an inch of its life and left it down. I felt naked without my bun. “If Bruno is the hill you want to die on, go ahead. My mom will never allow it, and you know that. I hate being brutally honest, but there is no other way to put this.”
“Look, you’re clearly in ‘don’t mess with me’ mode.” Prim addressed my mood but not my dose of reality. “Tuv—I’m your friend, and you need to talk with someone. Choose me. Caro is your sister, but her loyalty to your mother’s social standing is her weakness. I’m not in Ezza’s camp of favorites…as you just highlighted—”
I interrupted. “Nor will you ever be.”
“You said that already, but we can’t help who we love.” She tucked her own hair behind her ear, her diamond stud twinkling at me. Leaning in, she spoke again. “So, if you’re not upset with me, what is it? Writer’s block? You’ve been totally absent since returning. I don’t care about your injury.” Waving at my hand, Prim hit on several of the elephants in the tiny tavern bar, but not the main one.
A third gulp of Malbec was in order.
“You can’t keep hiding behind your wine. Something is going on. You’re back, and not the same, and I don’t believe it was only the transfer. Although I know it was hell, but that’s not it. Period.”
My eyes swept the room, searching for a diversion. “I’m writing, a little. I mean, it’s been a whirlwind since I got back, but I’m trying to settle into it.”
“Tuv—spill it.” It was the second time she’d shortened my nickname. I knew she meant business.
“There’s someone.” Two words came out on a whoosh.
Prim stared at me wide-mouthed. “Who? What? When?” Her questions came out in short bursts, her expression somewhere between shocked and incredulous. “That was not what I was expecting.” Her hand dug into a bowl of nuts sitting in front of us. She rolled several cashews in her palm, and I chalked it up to nervous energy.
I tried to let her down gently. “It’s not going to be anything.”
“Why?”
“Stop with the questions. Seriously, put your excitement to bed.” I waved my hand in front of her mouth, hoping she understood I meant for her to be quiet.
“I will do no such thing.”
“Can I get you two another round?” For one moment, luck was on my side as Milly, the bartender, interrupted the discussion.
“Put a pin in this,” Prim sadly told me and then turned to Milly and said, “Yes, two more rounds.”
“Two more?”
“We can call Bruno to get us,” was her response.
“Umm, I’m nowhere near that stage of acceptance when it comes to you two—”
“Hush” is what she told me.
A small tremor hit my weaker hand, and I stuck it under my leg. I still tried to hide any lingering reactions I had to the transfer. I’d successfully helped Emelee, putting me back in my mother’s good graces. Truthfully, I was unsure why I wanted to be there, but I did.
Maybe it was all I’d ever known.
