Amabella and Ally have changed my piece of shit absent father. He’s suddenly all about family. He’s even gone as far as to leave his career in hotel development and start Forever Families with Amabella—a non-profit for families in need. This new blended version of the Blackwood family is to be the face of Forever Families. We’re supposed to show off how united we are.
What a fucking joke.
But I’ll play along and pretend there’s no issues between me and my father. I need him to believe Westbridge reformed me so he’ll stay out of my business. He’s proud of the sensible life choices I’ve started making. Namely, the cocktail lounge I’m about to open. He has no clue the venue is a façade for the illegal speakeasy that will live beneath it.
Leaving the engagement party and its guests behind, I step out to the balcony for fresh air, resting my forearms on the railing. It’s quiet out here, all but for the sounds of traffic twenty stories below us.
You are my favorite secret, Felix Blackwood, Harper’s voice replays in my mind.
Felix, you see the real me. I struggled to see the real you for a long time, but I see it now.
You belong to me for life.
Each of those memories are from some of the most meaningful moments of my life.
That last one… Fuck. The memory hurts. I gaze down at the scar on my left palm, reliving the day Harper gave it to me as kids. It was her way of claiming ownership of me. Both of her hands were bleeding from touching broken glass, sure to leave scars. She cut Tyler’s palm too so all three of us would match forever.
I think about that day every time I see the scar. It’s agony, reminding me of everything I’ve lost.
“Felix.”
My muscles stiffen with nerves, hearing Harper speak my name behind me. I should have known I wouldn’t escape her on this balcony. She’s smiling; I can hear it in her tone. Her voice is a little breathless but filled with hope.
Bracing myself, I face Harper, tucking one hand in my suit pocket to stop myself from touching her, because my god, she’s breathtaking this close up. The girl is beautifully delicate with luscious red hair I’m craving to touch. My other hand wraps around my champagne glass, my grip so tight I’m at risk of shattering it.
Harper’s pale cheeks are flushed. She’s nervous yet excited. Her breasts swell with each rapid inhale. When she licks her pretty lips, my attention is drawn straight to her mouth. I could kiss her if I wanted. I could do anything to Harper and she’d let me, but I have no intention of touching her.
I almost speak the thought aloud, wanting to put Harper in her place, showing her she means nothing tome. Lashing out is something I would have done in the past when we were young and angry at each other.
“Congratulations, Harper.” Though it’s difficult, I take the mature approach, keeping a level tone. “I hear you’re a company dancer.”
I genuinely mean what I say. She’s worked hard her entire life. Being a professional ballerina has always been her dream. But this polite conversation feels wrong. I can’t wrap my head around how someone I knew so intimately is now a stranger.
“Thank you. I’m really happy to see you. Felix?—”
“I also see there’s no wedding ring. No baby. Whatever happened, I’m sorry.”
Her smile fades. “I lost the baby right after I broke up with you. I put an end to the engagement because everything felt wrong. I’ve been trying to contact you for months. I know you don’t want to talk, but I need you to hear me. I made a mistake. The biggest mistake of my life. I love you and I need you. I don’t deserve you but I’m begging you to forgive me?—”
“Don’t.” I glare at her, trying to remain calm all while my heart races with frustration. “You made your choice. It wasn’t me.”
She steps closer, pleading. “People make mistakes. Think about our history.You belong to me for life.”
“Don’t pull that shit on me, Harper. Ididbelong to you. Not anymore. I don’t love you.”
Her lower lip trembles but she shakes her head, refusing to believe me. “You don’t mean that. We’ll be together again. You, me, and Tyler, as we’re supposed to be?—”
Losing control of myself, I slam my champagne to the ground. The glass shatters across the tiles, making Harper jolt. “When will you get it into your head that you fucking broke me, Harper?”
I glance inside to the party. No one has noticed my outburst, but I lower my voice to a sharp hiss to avoid any attention.
“I was so in love with you, Harper. I gave youeverything. Every goddamn piece of my heart. And you ripped it to shreds by choosing a life with Tyler. By some miracle, I’ve managed to move on with my life. Don’t ask me to take you and Tyler back. I’ll just be dealing with the same bullshit as before. Your trust and abandonment issues. Your shame and need to keep us a secret. What happens if you get pregnant a second time? Will you choose between me and Tyler again? What if I can’t contact you for an extended period of time? Will you doubt my love and commitment to you? I’m selling eclipse and opening my speakeasy. You’ve never approved of either of those things. We’re a bad match.”
“We’re not a bad match.”
Her beautiful eyes are so sad. I hate seeing her upset. There’s some innate need within me to comfort her. But I can’t. I won’t.
“Felix, I’ve made so many mistakes. I never wanted to choose between you. I didn’t have the right information.”
