My head snapped back so hard I was surprised I didn’t feel pain. “Oh, you want me to shut up? Isthatwhat you want? How about we pretend that we like each other, get through tonight, and I’ll be out of here by Monday. Then you don’t have to do another damn thing for me or ever tell me to shut up again. Believethat.” Feeling the tears coming hard and fast, I rushed out of the room.
Before I made it to the hall, I was snatched back to his hard chest. His hand cupped my nape, and my heart clenched at his eyes darkening with lust and something else that made my stomach flip. “Why do you have to make it so damn hard for me to tell you that I love you?”
My head swooned at his declaration. “You love me?”
“God, help me. I love you, and I can’t stop it no matter how much you annoy the hell out of me.” He searched my face. “Say something.”
As I stared at him, the sounds of car doors closing and chatter drifted over us. “Umm . . . We have guests.”
“That’s it?” he incredulously asked.
The voices drew nearer. I recognized one as Saraj and whispered, “You would tell me how you feel when I can’t do anything about it. Now, let me go.”
He released me and stalked toward the side door that would take him away from the guests. I wanted to run after him. I knew what he needed to hear, but I’d promised myself I wouldn’t profess that to anyone else unless I were sure that the man deserved me.
I wiped my eyes, plastered a smile on my face, and moved in the direction of the voices. When I walked into the expansive living area, Saraj and a few of his friends were walking around, admiring everything. “Welcome.”
Saraj rushed and lifted me off my feet. As he hugged me, he said near my ear, “Emme is right outside.”
“What?” I asked louder than I intended when my feet landed back on the floor.
Saraj grinned and spoke through clenched teeth. “Pretend, baby girl. I tried to call you when I saw her at the airport, and you sent me to voicemail.”
“She’soutside?” My heart fluttered as I smiled, hugged my guests, and told them to get comfortable while I checked on something. Saraj’s worried glance followed me as I hurried to the side door, hoping somehow that Canaan didn’t see Emme. I hurt him, and he was comfortable with Emme.Did I just sendhim into the arms of a woman who he knowsloves him?
Through the glass doors, I saw Emme pleading with him. Observing their interaction reminded me of the countless times she had chased after him. He looked irritated and ready to leave, and she blocked his path. As always, Emmanuela Rodriguez looked beautiful. Her natural, thick, dark hair hung low down her curvy body. She was of mixed heritage. Black and Mexican. She used to brag about how she and Canaan would have beautiful babies and would teach them their respective cultures.
Emme noticed me first and suddenly pulled Canaan’s head down to kiss him. I shoved open the door, ready to hurt her. Canaan had already moved away from Emme, which only emboldened me. His furious expression softened, and he stepped forward with an apology ready to spew from his lips. I shook my head and pushed him behind me like a lioness protecting her cub.
“Why are you here, Emme? You have a man back at home. A man whom you love and want to marry,” I reminded her.
“He knows why I’m here. He’s never been able to stay away from me too long.” Emme’s chest rose and fell as she stared at Canaan over my shoulder.
“He doesn’t want you anymore. So, go home before you lose the man whodoeswant you.” I stepped closer, keeping my voice even. I had never had a physical fight with a woman, and I didn’t want to start with a woman who once had been a friend.
“How could you, Kensie? You were my friend, and you know the shit he put me through. Did you talk badly about him so you could have him yourself? Told me he wasn’t shit and that I deserved better? Yet, he’s nowyourman, and you’re about to get married, when he told me he would never marry.” Her lips trembled, and her nostrils flared.
I relented. Emme loved Canaan. Regardless of whether he returned the emotion, she did love him. And for years, she had been my friend. “I tried to call you and explain. I didn’t want you to find out like you did.” I looked at Canaan, and he nodded.
Emme scowled at our exchange. “Explain what?”
“It happened fast. I didn’t mean to fall for him. We ran into each other in Jamaica on New Year’s Eve, and I needed to . . .” I stuttered, trying to find the right words.
Canaan took my hand and kissed the back of it as he stared into my eyes. “It happened fast, and she has been fighting me and her feelings ever since, out of respect for you. She made it clear she didn’t trust me because of how I treated you. She tried to ignore me, but I pursued her. I told Kensie that you and I had been seeing each other on and off over the years, and that it ended when you got engaged to Matt. I’m a different man now and want to be with Kensie. I want to see how far it goes.” He looked at his ex. “It’s as simple as that, Emme. I’ve always been the man you couldn’t manipulate, and you couldn’t stand it. You thought you had some type of hold on me because you were my last girlfriend. I didn’t claim anyone else because I became focused on racing, which I’ve repeatedly told you. I’ve apologized for mistreating you back in college, and I’ll do it again today. Iamsorry that I kept seeing you, knowing deep down that we wanted different things. If you can be supportive of us, then I welcome you to stay.”
Emme wiped her furious and hurt eyes. “I can’t support a woman whobackstabsher own best friend.”
Canaan curved his arm around my waist. “Then I suggest you go back home and marry that man you profess to love so much. We don’t need any drama. Today is about being free to do and be anything. Nothing but fun, love, and a celebration of life today.”
Tears sprang to Emme’s eyes. “So, that’s it?”
Canaan reminded her, “We haven’t communicated in over two years, and you knew what it was before that. I never made promises or lied to you, so please don’t play the victim.”
“Emme, I’ll take you to your hotel or wherever you want to go,” Saraj spoke from behind us. He nodded to Canaan before slinging his arm around Emme’s shoulders. “I got her. Do whatever you need to do. We have a practice to watch in a few hours.”
Canaan smiled in relief, and I mouthed, “Thank you.”
Saraj picked up her bags while Emme tucked her head into his chest. As soon as they were out of sight, Canaan pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back. “We good?”
