Page 27 of Heart Strings
Cielo appears behind us at the buffet line wearing a jumpsuit that perfectly accentuates her hips. I want to tell her about the festival. She said we were “friends,” though my instinct to share good news with her stems from something more. Now isn’t the right time, but I wonder if it will ever be the right time to share news that reminds her of my career and how far it takes me, if I truly want her to give me a second chance.
“I apologize for the unprecedented levels of paddywackery,” Lo says to Callum, then directs her attention at me. “That was sweet, rescuing Callum from my family.”
She examines the buffet’s food options with all the gravity of studying to pass the medical licensure exam but doesn’t reach for anything.
My brow furrows. “Are you okay?”
Lo’s nod is unconvincing. She glances over her shoulder towhere her mother is sitting before seizing a plain chicken breast with a set of tongs. “I’ll see you later, Aidan.”
Something is up. Cielo once insisted we try an Indian takeaway because she read a review that said, “I couldn’t feel my face, but I couldn’t stop eating.”
Her spine stiffens when her mother waves her over to the table where she, her aunt, and Lark are already seated. It’s subtle. Chin up, shoulders back, she’s poised and battle-ready. Is her mother’s judgment the reason why unseasoned poultry and steamed broccoli are the only things on her plate? My hand tightens into a fist at my side. She’s perfect just as she is. Powerful, soft, and incredibly sexy.
“I’ve no idea how to talk to Lark’s family,” Callum says. “I just stuff bread into my mouth, hoping they get caught up in their own conversation and forget I’m there. This morning when we had b-b-breakfast with her mam, I ate four pieces of toast. Consecutively.”
“You’ve already made a good impression.” I transfer an emergency piece of boxty from my plate to his. “Lo told me they loved you when you went to Texas for Christmas.”
Some of Callum’s wariness lifts. “Really?”
“It’s obvious that you’re good for each other. They’re happy for Lark.”
Cielo’s parents are pickier about her relationships. What would her family think of me if they knew the true extent of our history?
“If it makes you feel any better, I have no idea how to talk to Lo anymore,” I admit. “It feels like I’m in the second grade, tugging on her pigtails to get her attention.”
“Can you believe there was ever a time where I saw you as some sort of ladies’ man?” Callum asks.
“I resent that.”
Before I know it, the bubble of this weekend will have popped, and Cielo and I will go our separate ways. I need to make the most of our time together before she disappears back into rotations and pretends that I don’t exist for another two years.
Callum pulls a gray velvet ring box from his pocket and puts it in my hand. “This belonged to my grandmam. Would you mind holding on to it?”
I open the hinged lid to find a gold claddagh shining inside. He’s trusting me with something irreplaceable. I swallow hard and tuck the ring box into my back pocket. “Of course. I’ll guard it with my life.”
“No need to be dramatic.”
“Go on, talk to your mother-in-law and stuff yourself with gluten.”
I scan the impressive arrangements of sunflowers, wildflowers, and baby’s breath piled on the tables, and quickly locate Saoirse, Anvi, and Rory.
“It looks amazing in here,” I tell Saoirse the moment my plate hits the table. At her own insistence, she’s on double duty as both floral designer and bridesmaid.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to decorate a venue like this. It’ll be huge for my portfolio.”
“You want to do more weddings?” Rory tucks a lock of platinum hair behind their ear.
“I’d like to do event design. Sure, that includes weddings, but it’s really the opportunity to do something daring andimmersive.” She gestures to the swirling yellow blossoms. “Whimsical, in this case. Most of my arrangements are for wakes, so it’s a nice change.”
From across the room, Lo laughs at something her mother said. The unmistakable, robust sound is burned into my memory. I want to turn it into a song. To make her laugh like that again.
Heaven-Boundwas one big musical prostration, but admitting wrongdoing in person is another story. I lost her because I let her believe she wasn’t worth fighting for. I want to tear down the fortress Cielo has since built around her heart, but I have to remind myself that Lo has always been the more patient of us, and she’ll need a methodical approach. Brick by brick. Word by word. Action by action. Earning her trust back won’t be easy.
The clink of silverware against crystal rouses the attention of the dining hall. Lark’s mother, Sharon, stands up, her flowing caftan nearly knocking over the remaining glasses on the table as she swings her arm. “I hope y’all will join me for yoga in the aviary after lunch. The castle staff will provide special workout clothes to change into, so come as you are. It’s important to feed the soul as well as the body…”
Beside her, Lark is clearly fighting the urge to cover her face. Yoga isn’t something I’m usually keen on, but I know Lo will be there. If it means a chance of seeing more of Lo than she’s let me yet, I’m game to try.
Rich tapestries andportraits line the halls of Castle Teachan. A fully articulated suit of armor stands on either sideof the stairs. I bump into one when I catch sight of Lo rounding the corner and heading to the yoga session and apologize to it out of habit. Pulled-back hair now exposes her graceful neck and soft jawline. The way that jumpsuit hugs her ass makes me feel the opposite of zen.
