Page 79 of Entwined

“She’s lying.”

“What the hell, Jecs?”

She shrugs, turning to Christos, “She better be back by midnight. No kidnapping, piercing or weird blood vows.”

“You told her?” He asks me.

“Everything,” she answers for me.

His eyes never leave my face as he answers her, “Lord Grantham sends his regards.”

She pretends not to care but her eyes cut to mine begging me to find out more.

“I don’t have anything suitable to wear.”

“As if that’s a problem. Are you afraid, little bird?”

“Hardly, but you should be. You should be terrified… it’s over. I’m done.”

He walks closer, lifting a lock of my hair. “Little liar. You and I both know this will never be over.”

“I hate the theatre.”

“Have you ever been?”

“Once, in LA.”

“Ah, but that doesn’t count. The theatre here is hundreds of years old. The musical we’re seeing is legendary.”

“The only thing legendary is your ego.”

He laughs low in his throat, “I see you haven’t changed a bit.”

“You’re wrong Christos. I’ve changed very much. Too much to ever go back.”

“That’s good. Because all I want to do—is move forward.”

Despite my every effort not to; I’m enjoying myself immensely. He wouldn’t back down and I ended up getting dressed and going out with him. Christos had brought an evening dress. But I refused to wear it. I won’t be his pretty, little doll anymore. Instead, I borrowed something from Mindy’s closet. The knee-length elegant dress is more than adequate for our night out.

Dinner was stilted. He asked me dozens of questions about my life now but all I wanted was the answer to mine.

Why?

Why me?

Why now?

Did you ever love me?

But I won’t ask. Partly because I’m not sure he even knows the answers. But I can’t deny the show is beautiful. The music, the pageantry… the solos. I feel his eyes on me throughout the performance.

Cats.

He took me to see a special encore anniversary performance. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

The heat coming off his body warms my skin, chilled from the air conditioner.

The lights dim. Then she rises, beautifully on center stage. My breath hitches as her powerful voice rips through me. My hands shake. Our eyes meet.

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