Page 28 of Forbidden Love Still Blooms

"What instructions?"

"Coordinates." His sneer tugs at the split in his lip. "A place to dig."

Blood drains from my face. All my nerves deaden.

"You get it. Good. Let's stop making the audience wait any longer, babe." He drops to his knee. It's not natural for him; he's not someone who likes to be lower than others, not even now when there’s something to gain. There's a shout from the crowd—then the music cuts. All eyes are on the stage. On me.

“Lori,” he says.

I know what comes next. His mouth makes the shapes, but my mind shuts down. I can't hear him ask me to marry him. It's survival mode kicking in. Dezmond moves his lips, then he stops. Waiting. Knowing the answer I have to give if I want a chance at keeping my secret buried.

My attention slides to my left. The parade extends before me in chaotic color. The attendees rock, shift, wave their hands in the air. Smiles … frowns … too many to count. There's a float leading the pack that will reach the stage first. I stare at it, recognizing the design with its tall towers.

The sandcastle competition hasn't changed much over the years. There are ten children standing on the rolling platform, all ages six to fifteen. Their faces are painted with glitter. I remember my best friend, Cadence, painted mine—purple and turquoise. Mom helped with the flowers in my hair, making sure they were properly pinned so no gusts of wind would rip them out.

She'd stood on the sidelines and watched me go by, cheering with tears in her eyes. Cadence had giggled, which mademegiggle, and neither of us knew why. We were happy just to be alive. So incredibly innocent. I had no idea what was waiting for me in the future.

I'm reliving the past vividly. I blink when I realize I'm actually seeing my mother right now, out in the crowd, for real.Not the long-haired woman of my past, but the short-haired version that's older. Her eyes aren't full of happy tears, they're wide with concern. Ihateseeing her like this.

Before I turn back to Dez, I search a second longer. But the man I want to see isn't out there. Jordan must have left already. Who can blame him? He must find me pathetic.

Dezmond gives my hand a sharp yank. “Lori,” he says hotly.

“Yes. I'll marry you.” It leaves my lips robotically. I'll win no acting awards. The crowd erupts in cheers anyway as Dezmond plucks the plain metal ring from the box—something he either stole or bought cheap from a pawn shop—and lines it up with my finger. I gasp as he scrapes it over my skin. It's too tight, it barely fits, but he's determined and keeps going.

My whole hand throbs when he gets to the knuckle. I rip out of his grip, his expression darkening. That's when the trumpets begin anew with a cacophonous, cheerful song that inspires everyone to dance. As they scream loud as they can, I scream internally.

“That went well,” he says with a smirk. “Don't you think so? Hey, I'm talking to you,” he says, reaching for me. “Why are you—hey!”

I jump off the back of the stage, away from the crowd, and I run.

Chapter 11

There'saneasypathfrom the street to the beach. Recently re-painted asphalt slopes toward the distant waters where the floats will end up in an hour. They'll be chased by excited flocks of people who will scare the wildlife, minus the seagulls that fear nothing in their quest for a bite to eat.

The parade is behind me. I know that means the shore should be clear, but I'm afraid Dezmond will chase me, find me, if I take the obvious route. I'm not ready to see him, or anyone, really. I'm blind in my panic, not able to feel the sand cutting my palms as I slip and climb over the dunes that span to the right side of the road.

This area is more secluded by rocks that jut out of the ground like broken teeth. In my haste I trip and bounce off one but keep going towards the water. Not bothering to take off my sneakers, I sprint right into the foamy water.

I'm up to my waist before I slow down.How did this happen?My left hand burns as salt water enters the scrapes from the ring being forced on my finger. Grimacing, I fight to rip the ring off, but it’s wedged against my knuckle. I hate it—I don't want it! I'll rip off my fucking finger to get rid of the damn thing. It's a wretchedcurse.

Thrashing in despair, I don't spot the wave coming. It punches me in the mouth, chokes me. All I taste is brine.If I drown, will Dez take his secret to the grave like I plan to take mine?No. He's too greedy. He'll find a way to use what he knows about my father to his advantage. And then my mother, she'll …

A strong hand grabs me from behind, ripping me up and out of the water. I cough as air hits my throat. Jordan is holding me, his face warping like he's being tortured. One look at me and it gets worse. This is a man overflowing with contempt. All of it is meant for me, no one else makes sense. A flash of clarity creates a thought:Does he know I pushed Dezmond into traffic on purpose?

Yes. That has to be it. He knows the truth, must have pieced it all together between my strange actions last night in his house and today. Dezmond wishes he was as clever as his father.

I cough out salty liquid. “Go on, kill me. It's why you followed me, right?”

He recoils with his eyebrows in a knot. Spinning against the tide, he forces me to follow him to the sandy shore. When we get to ankle-deep water he whirls on me, not letting me go, his face almost on top of mine. “What would make you think that? Are you crazy?”

I stare at him blankly.He doesn't know. Doesn't even suspect anything.Laughter bubbles out of me, cracking from my sore throat—I hack, holding myself as bleak humor fights with the water I swallowed. I can't stop myself from shaking. “Yes, I'm crazy.” Liquid drips from my nose. I wipe it away. “Did Dez send you after me?”

“No. I came looking for you on my own.”

“Why would you bother?” I ask, my smile weakening. The laughter is all gone.

Jordan is inspecting the ring on my hand he's clutching. The skin is raw, streaked like a red sunset. A purple tinge is building around my knuckle.

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