Page 1 of Penance
Prologue
Lily
6 Months Ago
The room buzzes with noise as people whisper behind their hands about the biggest piece of gossip all year—the engagement of Hayes Miller and Mallorie Jade Harrison.
Never mind that the real gossip stands beside them in the form of my own stupidity.
Hayes and I were friends—just friends. Yet somehow, I got caught up in the idea of him being more, and I ended up falling into the same desperation my mother did—chasing a man who was never meant to be mine.
Not that I loved Hayes. I don’t want love. I want safety. Hayes was safe.
Now, I’m standing at his engagement party, hiding my forced smile behind a glass.
The happy couple mills about the room, laughing and smiling with their guests, all while never letting go of each other.
It makes me want to gag.
“Lily, dear, it’s so good to see you.” A regal voice floats from beside me, and I nearly jump out of my skin, embarrassment heating my cheeks from being caught staring so intently.
Taking a sip from my glass, I lower it and cradle it to my chestbefore turning to greet the bride’s mother—Abigail Harrison, the queen of this town. Even in her older age, the woman is beautiful—regal and put together in a way I will never be. Her hair is naturally blonde, and her green eyes seem to notice everything. She was the first person to welcome me when I moved to town and the first to congratulate me when I got the high school principal position at the beginning of this year.
She’s become like a surrogate mom to me—even if she doesn’t know I view her that way.
“Mrs. Harrison, thank you for the invitation,” I greet, my hand going to the necklace against my collarbone. It is a reminder—always a reminder.
“Abigail, dear. Call me Abigail.”
I nod, taking a small sip of my drink and holding it to my chest again. Offering her a polite smile, I avoid her gaze, hoping she doesn’t see the shame in mine, but when I bring my attention back to her, her eyes narrow as if she can see right through me.
“Did you bring a date?” She asks. The question is so casual that it’s obviously not casual at all. She caught me staring at her soon-to-be son-in-law, and we both know it—but I’m no threat. I never was.
“No—just me,” I admit.
Her lips pinch together in distaste, but she reaches out and pats my hand. “Not to worry, dear. I can help with that.”
Wincing, I bring my glass to my lips again, relishing the cool water.
“Abigail—” I start, but a warm, solid hand lands on my shoulder.
The smell of sandalwood and smoke fills my lungs, and I hold my breath to keep from breathing it in.
It’s not because I hate it—just the opposite.
I like it a little too much, especially because the person it belongs to drives me crazy—not to mention he’s the dad to one of my students.
“Don’t let her lie to you, Mrs. Harrison. She’s here with me—she’sjust shy.” The voice is deep and masculine and, to my annoyance, prickles over my skin, leaving goosebumps behind.
Turning my head, I come face to face with Theo Sylvis, the town’s new fire chief.
The man is handsome, with dark hair and eyes to match, natural muscles built from hours of hard work, and a grin that spells trouble. The suit he’s wearing leaves nothing to the imagination. His biceps bulge as he tucks his hands into his pockets, threatening to rip the fabric. Every single girl in here is staring at him. The problem is that he knows it, and that leaves him with a cockiness that grates at my nerves.
When I meet his gaze, he’s already wearing that smirk on his lips. I narrow my eyes, ready to tell him exactly how I feel about his interruption, but Mrs. Harrison beats me to it. “Oh, Theo. How lovely. I’m glad you two found one another.”
Theo’s arm stretches across my shoulder, and that grin ticks up two notches.
It makes me want to punch him in the nose—a fact that the soon-to-be bride would probably be proud of, seeing as that’s how she managed to land her fiance. Only she used a tire iron, and it was an accident. Mine would be no accident.
