“Now is the moment I announce that you have both chosen door number one,” Colt says.
My jaw clenches. Kai picked the same stubborn door I did. As ifhe’dbeen the one to go through all that pain.
“Well, as you can see,” Colt adds over the speakers, “we won’t be reaching a resolution tonight. Nikki, please head back through the revolving bookcase and make your way onto the porch where your pink suitcase awaits you. A driver will take you home.
“Kai, please stay put. I’ll let you know when you can make your exit.”
A mean blend of anger and embarrassment urges me on as I bolt toward the exit, through the stupid bookcase, and breeze my way down the hall. Seconds later, I’m flinging the front door open and hurrying onto the porch where my suitcase stands beside Kai’s. I barely resist the urge to kick it over.
I hook my fingers around the handle and rush down the stairs, causing the goodandbroken wheel to crash recklessly against the cement steps. A driver—not the one I had on the way here—hurries from the car to help me.
“I’ll grab your bag, Miss,” the man says with a nod.
I stop walking and release the case. “Thank you.” I can’t get into the town car quickly enough. Hopefully, there are no cameras inside. I’ve been ogled like a preschool-class ant farm for days now, and I need to be alone with my thoughts.
“Are there cameras in there?” I ask as the driver opens the door for me.
He shakes his head, a soft smile on his lips.
“Thank you,” I say as I hunch down and climb inside. “And thanks for getting my case for me. I probably brokebothwheels now.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s not beyond repair,” he says with a nod.
The case might not be beyond repair, but my relationship with Kai is.
The partition between the driver and me is closed. I can finally give in to the tears.
Yet as I sit in the back seat, arms folded tight over my chest, not a tear comes. I know I’ll be sad about this later. Devastated, in fact, but I donotfeel sad right now. I feel furious! Kai has some nerve to insist thatIadmit thatIdid the wrong thing. Me—the one who was trying to rescue what was left of her family while it went up in flames.
My jaw clenches tight as I replay it all again. We have to meet again one week later, do we? Part of me is glad. I can’t wait to give Kai a piece of my mind.
Chapter Eight
Day-saster
Okay,so Ihadknown the sorrow would come, but I had no idea how hard it would strike. Wrecking balls were gentler than the days that followed. I had ruined my life.
In all fairness, Kai ruined it too. Twice now. But I can’t keep from dwelling on the fact that at leasthalfof the power had been in my hands both times. It had. If only I’d have been willing to relinquish…what, my self-esteem entirely?
“I still think you should go,” Nate says through the phone line. I can barely hear his voice through the fluff of the pillow my face is buried in.
I yank my head up and look at the phone resting on the armchair. Crumpled cupcake wrappers and wadded tissues litter my couch and the surrounding hardwood floors since I’ve been camping out in my living room since I got back.
I sniff. “You think I should go to the finale?” I ask. “Why?”
“Because you’re miserable,” Nate says like it’s obvious. “I know it’s optional, per your contract, anyway, but all of America will expect you to show up, and I’m sure Kai will too.”
“I can’t. I’ve made a total fool of myself.” The words are like swords sinking into my soul. “First, Kai dismisses my ultimatum and takes off. Next, when we finally start getting back together, he leaves me again because I refuse to pretend it’s all my fault.”
Nate sighs. “What if it’sbothof your faults?”
My jaw drops open. “It’s not.”
“Itmightbe.”
“That’s not what you’ve been saying all of these years,” I remind. “You said I was justified in standing my ground.”
“Yeah, well, I was younger then. And now that I’ve seen for myself how good you two are together…”
