I pat his arm, drawing his attention, and whisper, “Some battles just aren’t worth it.”
“Noted.” He loops his arm in mine, and we head down the street, watching as everyone finishes up their decorations for the lighting ceremony. Laughter wraps all around me, and as we enter the pizzeria, the fresh scent of breadsticks makes my stomach rumble, despite consuming dessert before dinner.
Arlo and I slide into a booth while Lark drops into the seat across from us, drumming her fingers on the counter.
Before Paris can even get to us, the door opens and Christian walks in, shivering from the cold. His eyes find mine from across the room, and for a moment, I’m stuck, unsure what to do.
Here is a man who hurt me deeper than anyone ever could have, and he’s now residing in a town that fast became my safe space. I know what I should do, invite him over, but my tongue swells in my mouth and all I can do is stare at him.
“Christian!” Arlo breaks the spell and calls him over.
Unsure, he shuffles across the tile floor. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Paris giving him a once over with pursed lips. No doubt my brother gave her all the down and dirty details.
“Hey.” Christian slides his hands in his jean pockets, his eyes warming a bit at the sight of Lark.
The two of them had their meeting with Kenzie, my new lawyer, who charged me only a library card—library cards are free.
She just shrugged and drew up paperwork to tell me that’s what friends were for.
It was a weird feeling, to say the least. Since the entire town shuts down at seven, we aren’t meeting until Friday. Thursday is a rest day, apparently, because there will be endless celebrations tonight, and I’m excited about that as well.
Someone mentioned dancing in the street, which I’ve always wanted to do, but it was always way too dangerous to achieve.
“Sit.” Lark perks up, pointing to the seat beside her. “Join us.”
Arlo holds back his laughter, and I wonder just who this strange creature is sitting across from me. She’s suddenly turned into a diplomat, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Curious, that is how I feel.
“How’s rooming with Robin?” I ask as Paris still stands near the corner, slowly making her way across the room toward us.
Christian visibly relaxes, his shoulders droop, and a half-smile plays on his lips. “I forgot how cunning your brother could be.”
“Ah.” I snicker a little. “What did he do?”
“Gave me the small room, which was a given, but he’s taken to calling me Harry.” He actually smiles at that reference with warmth.
“Maybe he sees there’s hope for you yet,” I whisper.
“Did Kenzie talk to you?” Christian’s throat bobbles at the words, and Arlo’s hand drapes across my thigh in comfort.
“Not until Friday.”
“I want this to come from me.” Shifting uncomfortably, he wipes sweat off his brow. “I told my parents no.”
Shock rings through me once more, rendering me speechless. There are few things in this world I expected Christian to say, and that was not one of them.
“That’s…” Even Arlo tries to articulate his thoughts, but he can’t, though pride shines in his eyes. “I don’t know you well, and Birdie is more inclined to let me make my own opinion” —we both know that’s a lie— “but that was not an easy choice for you to make.”
“You chose me.” Lark twists in her seat to look at the man who shares her DNA, surprise etched across her features. I worry he might hurt her, and I can’t prepare for that, but I can hope that Christian makes the right choices at the end of the day.
Christian looks down, sadness on his face, one so like Lark’s. “I made some terrible decisions in my life I will regret for the rest of my days. I want to make the right choices, and I realize that there is no amount of money in this world that can make the right choices. Only I can do that.” He taps his heart.
“Don’t hurt me,” she warns, making him blink a few times.
“I think Kenzie took care of that one for me.” He winks at her.
Paris chooses that moment to walk over, though I know she was eavesdropping the entire time. “What’ll it be?” Her eyes miss nothing, and I know she will grill me about this later.
