He takes a deep inhale.“It was so many years ago, Maya.We’re not at the Knight Estate anymore.So what if your mom used to be our housekeeper then?It’s got no bearing on where we are now, on who you are now.It doesn’t matter.”
“Your brothers …” I try to deflect.
“You were never scared of them before.Besides, you’ve already met Dex, and the others are easier, I promise.Except maybe, Jett.”
I stare at him.He reaches forward and takes my hand.“You more than held your own, and they’re not like that,” he cries.
“Like what, Zach?”He’s not making this easy.He’s not buying my pathetic little lies.
“Like … they care about any of that stuff.”
“Dex married anheiress.”
“It was a fake marriage.They’re not married anymore.”
“But you said he’s engaged now to the same woman.”
“He is.I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”
“It means she’s rich, from a wealthy family.She has the social significance your father craves.She fits.”
He didn’t see the way his father looked at me after he caught me and Zach in the library, a place I wasn’t allowed to be in.His father knew there was more to it, and he didn’t like it.I felt it then, and I know that man won’t have changed with time.He’ll be worse than ever.
Zach looks hurt.“When did that ever bother you?”
“It does now.”I used to be tougher when I was younger.I used to be more idealistic about the world.I used to believe in egalitarianism and equality, but the older I get and see how the world is, I realize things are so skewed.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but we’re not all like my father.”
His father.My insides quiver.I’m not scared of going.I’m sure I can hold my own among Zach’s friends and family, but I have to let him believe that I am, rather than tell him the truth.
“Surely this can’t be your reason for not wanting to come?”
I don’t know how to answer him.
“My family never scared you before.”He doesn’t stop pushing, and I don’t know how to answer him.I slap a hand over the back of my neck.
“It feels like you’re pushing me away, Maya.”
“She—” Fleur tries to say something, but I hold up my hand to her, silencing her.She means well, but I don’t need her to fight my corner.Besides, I’m not fighting, I’m walking away.It hurts me to see him looking so let down.“It’s not about you, I promise.Youdon’t make me feel like that.”
“Neither will my brothers.Just trust me, please?I’ll be with you.I won’t leave your side.Please come, Maya.Help me to celebrate my big day.”
His desperation kills me, and a prickly silence stretches between us.This shouldn’t feel so hard, after the tenderness of our nights together, after how close we were when it was just me and him and the walls between us came down.Everything now feels so fragile, and I feel like I’m the one breaking everything.
“Big events aren’t really my thing,” I say, trying to answer him without giving too much away.I feel like I’m skating on thin ice, praying it doesn’t crack and take me under.
“At least think about it?”he presses.
“Good idea.”Fleur steps between us and beams happily at him.“Don’t worry Zach.I’ll make sure she thinks about it.”
“Thank you.”He turns to me.“I’ll see you at work.”Zach’s last words to me, as he steps away, looking deflated.My chest feels so heavy.
As soon as the door closes, Fleur spins around.“What did I just witness?”
Where do I even start?
“Firstly, you’ve been staying with Zach Knight!How could you not tell me?”
