I dislodged myself completely from him, quickly stepping away as if I had been burned. Betrayal and embarrassment burned into my core. Painful memories of my last few weeks of high school pushed through the vault it had been locked in, blasting straight to my heart.
"You bitch, Jessica," Harrison growled. "It was you–Grace!Wait!"
I'd heard enough.
I power-walked down the street toward Amelia's house, my heart pounding as shame and anger overwhelmed me.
"Grace!" Harrison cut me off, holding my shoulders to keep me from walking further.
"Tell me it's not true," I gritted through clenched teeth.
His eyes searched mine, and what I read in them told me everything I needed to know. He hung his head, shaking it. "Let me explain," he implored.
"Did you or did you not plan this reunion for my benefit?"
He paused for a second, brown eyes pleading with me.
"Didyou?"
"Yes," he whispered.
My breath puffed out in disbelief. Renewed betrayal and shame touched my stomach, making it roll in nausea. I stepped back from him in disgust.
"Because you felt sorry for me?" My voice came out in a breathless whisper.
He groaned, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "Yes and no. Let me explain, please!"
I had to get away. People were already watching, whispering to each other. I just knew Jessica was reveling in my public embarrassment and misery.
"Let me go," I demanded through gritted teeth.
"Grace -"
"Let. Me. Go."
He pulled back immediately, his eyes tortured.
"You've done enough."
He flinched and moved aside, his face pinched in remorse. "I'm sorry, Gracie. I'll give you space. But please promise me you'll come tonight?"
I stared at him incredulously. Come to my own pity party? I would do no such thing. I stormed off, angrily brushing away the tears that had escaped.
I rushed through the front door, slamming it with such force that the painting hanging in the hallway rattled.
At the commotion, Amelia poked her head out of her bedroom. "Hey, what's wrong?" She asked when she spotted my red, tear-stained face.
"Did you know?" I fumed.
On the short walk home, I went over what Jessica had said.
Planned this reunion for me? James knew?
I then remembered Amelia pressuring me to take her place on the committee. I thought it strange that she had taken on an extra task during the lead-up to her wedding, but I didn't think more about it. Especially since I started to fall for Harrison and looked forward to our meetups.
The more I thought of it, the more I realized that Ameliahadto have known. The betrayal crushed me.
By the guilty look on her face, I knew it was true.
