He softly nods and makes a beeline for the bar.
“It was a small battle,” I say, turning to Rory, with a lump of angst in my throat.
I’ll miss seeing her sweet face if anything happens to me, and I have no doubt that it will.
I’m almost choking on tears when I take her hand and squeeze it gently.
“I want you to promise me something,” I say quietly. “Whatever happens to me, I want you to stay in touch with me. I’ll find a way to talk to you. And never trust what my family says about me. They’re all liars. All right, Rory?”
My tears threaten to break through my eyelashes and roll down my cheek, so I stop to recollect myself.
She nods a few times, just as scared and emotional as I am, but I can’t have that. I can’t see my reflection in her eyes, or I’ll cry for days.
Winding my arms around her frame, I try to comfort her, and holding her flush against my chest, I’m hugging her as if she is the only thing that matters in my life.
A few seconds pass before I break away with a faint smile on my lips and grab the drink the waiter’s brought me.
“This will help,” I say before taking a swig.
The alcohol travels down, instantly warming me.It’s like an army of ants rushes down my skin.
I swiftly straighten and take another sip.
“Mmm… This makes me feel so much better,” I murmur, finally feeling at ease.
And then, just as I bring my glass to my lips again and stare at the crowd with an'I don’t give a fuck'attitude, my heart stumbles.
Tall and magnificent, reaching the top of the stairs followed by a group of men most likely armed to the teeth, with a beautiful brunette on his arm, the man who owns my heart and now steps on it, breaking it to pieces, scans the gathering with a cold smirk on his lips.
I’m sure he’s not searching for me as much as I’m sure this evening will go down as one of the worst in my life.
I can’t breathe as I watch him inch closer to my grandparents’ group. Are they okay with him bringing another woman here?
Isn’t he supposed to respect my mother's memory?
Well, apparently, they are and treat him like a king. Because he is. Just not inmyhouse.
Rory touches my hand softly.
She never met him, so she doesn’t know about him.
All she knows is that I have a crush on a mysterious man. I’ve never told her about Callum O’Hara and the role he’s played in my life.
I couldn’t tell her. I didn’t want to scare her away.
I need her in my life as much as I need him.
“Lani?”
“I’m fine,” I say, running my fingers over my lips and moving my eyes from him to the woman and then back to him.
I’m dying inside, the fabric of my soul unraveling little by little.
Why now?
Why tonight?
Why bother coming?
