Page 32 of Kian's Devotio
He grinned and felt a small bit of hope fill his chest.
She wasn’t unaffected by him. After the vows were said, he walked back down the aisle with Sienna and she whispered, “Did I see you making eyes at Karalee?”
He chuckled softly, “You sure did.”
She gave a tiny snort and then looked up at him, “Just be careful. She told us that she is wary of relationships and men. That the one she loved hurt her, and that she's trying to figure out her feelings for him. You might have some competition there.”
He gave a soft nod of his head and swallowed hard. “She talked about a man with you girls?”
Sienna nodded, “Yes. For Emery’s bachelorette party we had a girl’s night at my house. Karalee admitted it all. That she has been in love with the guy for years and I think it’s someone Emery knows because she wasn’t really shocked. She told Karalee to just be careful.”
Kian nodded again and they reached the end of the aisle. Sienna pulled him aside, “It’s you isn’t it? She's in love with you right?”
He nodded, “I hope so. But I was an idiot of epic proportions. Like a massive idiot. I broke her heart and broke her trust. I don’t know how to fix it. I'm trying though.”
Sienna bit her lip, and Brek sidled up to them. “You done with my wife yet?” He asked and Sienna kissed her husband then looked at Kian.
“Listen, she's still trying to work out her feelings for you. I don’t think it will be easy for her. She doesn’t know if she can trust you like you said. I just know that you have to try. She deserves it.”
Kian nodded, “I know. She has been my entire world since we were little kids. I didn’t know how to handle my feelings. I still don’t. I didn’t know that someone could be that important to me. That they could mean more to me than my life. She is the sun in the sky, the moon at night and the stars that light up my darkest moments. And I will do whatever I can to prove it.”
Sienna grinned up at Brek and then over at him. “Good. I will do my best to help you. So will Emery. She is determined to find a guy for Karalee.”
Kian felt a growl slip out of his mouth, “Over my dead fucking body will she date someone else.”
Brek snorted. “Oh, he's gone, isn’t he?”
Sienna laughed, “Gone. It’s how you were.”
Brek nodded his head, and raised his eyebrow, “Sure was. And still am. Listen to me Kian, whatever you do, don’t let her go. If you love her you will figure it out.”
Kian sighed, “I'll do my best.”
That night he followed Karalee around, but gave her distance. As much as he could.
When he danced with his mom, she asked, “Has Karalee finally decided to forgive ye?”
He shook his head, “She still won’t talk to me. Keeps her distance. I'm afraid I lost her before I even got her.”
Ailith shook her head, “Ye haven’t. She was hurt. And even though I thought it was best at the time, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have kept ye two apart. I saw how broken she was, and how ye suffered because of it. I am so sorry. I told Karalee that and she understands where I was coming from and only wanted to protect her. I just hope ye too can forgive me and that ye can win her over.”
Kian gave a somber nod, “You did what you thought was best ma. I promise. I wasn’t thinking with my big head at that time anyway. I would have probably hurt her more if I hadn’t distanced myself.”
His ma swatted his arm, “Kian Ewan Collins. Ye don’t tell yer mother those things.”
He gave a soft laugh, “It’s true though. I wanted nothing more than to make her mine. Except that you were right, and I needed to let her grow up. And do what I could for myself.”
Ailith nodded, and then she reached up and cupped his cheek, “Yer da’ and I are so proud of ye. And the man ye have grown into. For putting yer happiness on hold. And for doing what ye could to protect Karalee even though it went against what ye wanted. Ye are a good man.”
Kian hugged his ma close, “Thanks ma. I love you.”
Ailith kissed his cheek and the song ended. “Go get yer girl.” She winked at him and Kian grinned.
Then he left to find Karalee. She was sitting at a table, all alone and was watching the dance floor.
He sat in the chair next to her and her eyes were wary, “You look beautiful tonight.”
She gave him a half smile, “Thanks.”
