Page 14 of Right With You
“No one would care. It’s not like you said he was your fiancé. That’d be embarrassing. But this? This is like… this is like some hot Mayfair Duke dreamboat randomly selects you as his bride.”
“Are you reading historical romances again?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
She fanned herself. “I will never not blush when a hero slowly removes a woman’s glove. There’s just nothing like it in contemporary.”
“True.” Though I hadn’t wanted the fluttery feeling that came along with those soft, simple moments in years. It’d be nice towantto feel it again, but I just… didn’t.
Dream about Luc in special ops agent soldier guy mode? Sure.
Relive the moment he shoved Callum into the wall in defense ofme?Also yes, though that one was more than a little dangerous considering it had nothing to do with fantasy.
“So, okay. He told his family, we don’t totally know what that means except they’re coming here and will meet you, but it sounds like… not a big deal?”
The perplexed tone in her voice spoke clearly of her confusion, which I echoed.
“He was apologetic that he got me involved but told me because they would be coming here, and he refuses to admit we aren’t engaged.” Saying it out loud sounded absolutely ludicrous.
She smacked the coffee table in front of her dramatically. “Wait, does this mean he’s rich? Like, normal families don’t make their kids marry.”
My head tipped side to side. “Not super common in the US, for sure. Maybe it is in Europe, and they just don’t talk about it?”
She frowned deeply. “Lame. But worse, I feel like what you’re telling me is there’ll be no reason to pretend you’re engaged beyond meeting his family and therefore no reason for you to cozy up with gorgeous Luc and eventually have his babies.”
I barked a laugh. “You know I’m not interested in having anyone’s babies.”
She slumped back into the couch. “Maybe that’s what we should be discussing.” She paused to take a sip from her water bottle, ever the faithful hydrator, then continued. “Is Callum trying to weasel his way back in?”
Shame bubbled up and popped, a sharp burst of pain in my chest. If I hadn’t experienced it more than once, I might’ve thought I was having some kind of medical event.
But no. That was just the fallout of a relationship with Callum.
“No. It’s not happening.” He wanted to get back together, but I wasn’t going for it again.
A crawling sensation crept over me, the discomfort of this conversation a perfect reminder of why I didn’t like talking about Callum. Even when we’d been together, I didn’t tell my friends much about him. That should’ve been sign enough our relationship wasn’t healthy. Of course, not everyone shared every detail of their dating lives, but watching the way Nikki and Winnie and then Jo and even Jess had gushed or justhadto share how wonderful their people were… it should’ve registered as a warning sign when I experienced a swarm of guilt and shame and unease sharing anything about Callum, even when we were supposedly fine.
“You know, none of what happened with him is your fault, right?”
Dove’s soft voice drew my attention, and a humorless laugh escaped my lips when I turned to see her brows pinched and her lips turned down with concern.
“Sure.”
She grabbed my hand and squeezed, then retreated back to her own space. “I mean it. I know you hate talking about it, but I also know you have this twisted idea that because he talked you into getting back with him, it’s on?—”
“More than once. He talked me into it more than once. I was weak enough, despite an incredible support system, that I went back.” Emotion hit instantly as I added, “Even after he’d showed me who he was and what it would be like in no uncertain terms. I still caved.”
I pressed the cuffs of my sweatshirt against my eyes to absorb the tears and attempt to calm myself.
“You say that like it makes itmoreyour fault, but I want you to hear me. Look at me, please.”
She was soft as rising dough at times, but she had steel in her. When I gave her my eyes, reluctantly, she continued.
“You are an amazing woman who deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. With gentleness and love. You are not at fault for how that crap heap treated you, nor are you guilty of anything but trying to love someone who wasn’t right for you. That’s not a crime.”
Grief washed over me, and I shook my head. “Sometimes, I feel like I’ve dealt with all this. That it’s all behind me. But then random stuff happens, and it comes right back up.”
Dove inched closer. “You need a hug, right?”
My tears burst fully, and I spoke through sobs. “Of course.”
