She laughs and hits his chest, but then weaves their fingers and leads him out of the marquee.
If only we were all as blissfully happy as they are.
Glancing down at my left palm, I trace a finger along the scar Harper gave me, remembering a time I was that happy. Since our breakup, I’ve tried to forget about the scar, everything it symbolizes, and that Tyler has one too. For the most part, I’ve been successful in ignoring the mark. But there are nights when I lay in bed alone, staring at my palm, reliving every intimate moment Harper and I shared.
When the memories expand to the three of us, I instantly shut them down.
Those are the memories that hurt the most.
Tonight, however, Ally has gotten into my head about Harper and I feel the fight leaving me. Ally was only taunting, but her tactics worked.
In the distance, Harper laughs again. This time when I look at her, there’s so much more than just sex runningthrough my mind. Every precious memory of her seems to hit me at once.
She’s my scarlet mirage.
Before this weekend, I’d convinced myself I could live without Harper. But she’s worked her way through the shield I placed around my heart and I don’t think I can fight her off.
I sigh, giving in.
I’ll talk to Harper. I’ll tell her not a day has gone by where I haven’t loved her.
CHAPTER NINE
TYLER
I’m walking through the engagement party with eyes for only Harper, desperate to ask her to dance, but Killian steps in front of me.
“Tyler, switch bridesmaids with me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“For the bridal party pairings,” he says with impatience. “Felix is partnered with Violet. You’re paired with Harper. I can’t be with Zara. She’s a student of mine at Sacred Heart. You know how strict the school is about maintaining staff professionalism. I nearly lost my job during the Dan and Ally scandal because we share the same last name. The last thing I need is for some article to hit the news with a twisted narrative about me and a student. Give me Harper instead.”
“Zara is still in school?” From the short interaction I’ve had with Zara today, I guessed she was in her early twenties and that Ally met her at Juilliard. She must be in her senior year. “How does Ally know her?”
“She’s Violet’s little sister.”
My gaze flicks to Harper across the party, having seen Violet and Zara by her side a moment ago. Sure enough, the sisters are still with her.
Violet is Ally’s maid of honor. She’s pretty, with long brown hair and a slender frame. Harper is friendly with her through dance. She’s a retired ballerina due to a career-ending injury and now teaches dance at Sacred Heart.
For a moment, I think Violet and I are making eye contact, until I realize her focus is on Killian. I’ve always suspected there were romantic feelings between the two, but the few times I’ve asked him about her, he says they’re just friends and colleagues.
For two people who are “just friends,” I’ve caught Violet looking at Killian a lot throughout the night.
“You and Violet are still only friends?” I ask.
“Yes,” he snaps. “Even if I wanted more with her, staff aren’t allowed to date at Sacred Heart.”
“Would anyone need to know?”
“This family has a bad past with secret relationships. I don’t need to add to the list and I don’t need to risk my career.”
The irony. Killian doesn’t have a clue how many secrets have been kept within this family.
“That’s all beside the point,” he continues with growing frustration. “I can’t be paired with a student at Sacred Heart. We’ll have to dance together. I’m not even supposed to be interacting with students outside of work.”
“Can’t you switch with Felix to have Violet?”
