Page 152 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim
This time, she blinks. “The three of you? Like Brennan is part of…” Seemingly at a loss for words, opens her mouth, then closes it again. “Everything?”
Because this is private, between us, I don’t respond.
“Oh my God.No.”
We both smile. Just a little.
Her eyes scan me, thoughtful. “You’re different, Isla. Stronger. Like you’re…stepping into who you really are.”
Margaux’s words catch me off guard.Stronger?I’m notsure about that. But the warmth in her voice melts some of the awkwardness between us.
Wanting to shift the conversation away from my private life, I lean forward. “Tell me about Jace.” In an earlier text, I’d learned the name of the man she’d run away with. “You really did get married?”
“Yeah.” Margaux shows me a plain, simple band. “I met him about a year ago. He was in the band at an event I was at. I was at the bar getting a wine, and he was in line behind me. Offered to buy my drink.” She laughs. “They were free. So I let him.”
I take a drink and wait for her to go on.
“Anyway, I found reasons to be places where he was entertaining. It was innocent.”
“Until you fell in love.”
“I was still going to go through with the wedding. He asked me not to, but…”
“Duty,” I supply.
“Yeah. But… When I told him I was running away, he suggested an elopement. I think he wanted to be sure I didn’t end up with anyone but him.”
Now that I’ve met Dorian, I can understand that kind of possessiveness.
“I could spend my whole life listening to Jace play sax.” Her face lights up. “And I plan to. He also teaches lessons to kids after school for extra money. Anyway, we have a really small place, not far from your old place. And I’ve been looking for a job.”
“You’ve beenwhat?”My jaw drops open. The only thing she’s been prepared for is to be a socialite, leading to the ultimate goal of becoming a society wife.
“I even applied here before you arrived.”
Oddly I can see that. The new version of my sister might thrive on the energy and atmosphere.
“May seem strange, but I’m happier than I ever remember being.” She looks away for a second, wistfully, then back at me again. Her eyes are wide and sincere. “But I hate that it comes at a cost to you. I’m so sorry.”
“Look, Margaux, it’s?—”
“Let’s talk about that rooftop kiss that was inScandalicious. Dorian looked like he wanted to eat you alive.”
I flush.
Suddenly my mocha tastes like the most fascinating thing in the world. “That was…” I should saystagedor something like that. But it had been so real, so sexy.
Suddenly she sits back, her eyes wide. “You’re falling for them.”
Stunned, I grip my mug and tug it closer, as if it can protect me from the sudden blossom of emotion.
That can’t be possible.
We have an arrangement. Nothing more.
Right?
Gently she squeezes my hand again. “You deserve to be happy.”
