Chapter 1 #2
Suddenly, forty-five glasses rise into the air, followed by echoes of clinking sounds that make my eye twitch.
They look genuinely happy. Eli and Charlotte.
The thought stings, yet I’m grateful to see that beautiful smile again, even if it isn't for me. I watch them kiss for the sixth time, then decide I’ve had enough and make my way to the coat closet.
As I reach for my motorcycle helmet, the scent of jasmine and amber fills my nostrils as someone approaches from behind.
A soft, but firm hand grips my elbow and leads me down the hallway.
The sounds of people’s chatter fade into the distance.
We turn a corner and Charlotte halts, facing me in the dimly lit stairwell, her expression unreadable.
Her captivating perfume is as familiar as it is new.
"Why didn't you respond to my messages?" she demands.
I fold my arms over my chest and look at the ceiling. "You know why. I didn't want you exposed to that side of me. Sniper Kez. You didn't deserve that."
"That wasn't your decision to make." She steadies her ragged breathing and pulls me to sit on the steps with her. "Do you have any idea how worried I was? After months, I figured you didn't love me anymore. Or were dead."
I glance at the sizable diamond ring on her finger. Eli must make good money. "I just wanted you to be happy. I'm sorry."
"I was happy,” she retorts. “We would've worked through the distance."
A group of men’s laughter breaks the silence between us. I swallow. "I thought you'd prefer a private wedding, somewhere warm and quiet. You don't even like the city, or groups of people, let alone over three hundred."
Her chuckle lightens the mood slightly. "That's life when you're a politician's daughter. Nothing is what it seems."
That wasn't entirely true. My jaw tightens and my eyes find hers. "I can tell you love him. You look happy."
"Eli is an incredible person and, yes, I love him." Another long silence passes. She clears her throat. "I didn't mean what I said earlier. Dating you wasn't a mistake. When I saw you at the beach, I didn't know whether to kiss you until I couldn't breathe or punch your lights out."
"I thought we'd never touch again, so I'll take both." A slight smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. It’s enough to make her laugh.
She inches closer. I shift my entire body until we face each other.
I speak the raw truth. "It's always been you.
You taught me not only how to love someone else, but how to love myself.
I adore all of you. Your kind heart. Your independence, warmth, sass.
I can't imagine my life without you in it. Please don’t make me let you go.
Do I have to? I will if you truly want me to. "
More silence. Instead of answering my question, her fingers tenderly caress my arm, and she gazes into my soul. "You came back to me," she whispers, carefully assessing me.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach as she inspects every inch of my face, as if to ensure no harm had come to me.
Using gentle strokes, she brushes my cheek, causing heat to rise, then combs her fingers through the coils of my hair.
Her touch instantly relaxes every fiber of my body. "I like it short," she murmurs.
"I thought you would." I melt into her embrace, recalling our last moment in the airport. She’s the softest thing I've felt in almost two years. "I promised I'd come back to you."
"You're okay?" Charlotte asks gently.
With a weak smile, I nod. "No scratches." I know she isn't talking about only my physical body. She knows me too well, knows the pain that sometimes keeps me up at night. I cover her hand with mine. "A promise is a promise."
She thumbs my necklace, the custom dog tags she gave me before leaving. "You still have these?"
"They were my light through every dark tunnel while I was away. I cherish them."
"I still like the other necklace better." She gives me a knowing smile. A dangerous mixture of naughty innocence. Of course, she’d remember the vibrating wand necklace. Charlotte sighs, the battle in her mind apparent. "I'm getting married in less than two days. We're too late."
I’m not one to back down from a challenge. I chuckle. "Just give me the green light. My motorcycle will be out back if you need a getaway ride."
Mouth ajar, she punches my shoulder, failing to hold back a giggle. "Do I look like a runaway bride to you?"
"Won't know until you try."
We share a laugh, then pause as the air thickens in the silence. She raises her eyebrow. Then so do I. Would she run away with me?
"Kez, I love—"
"Babe, there you are!" Before Charlotte finishes her sentence, her fiancé approaches. He pulls her to her feet and pecks her lips, grinning as if he’s the happiest man on the planet. "We should see the guests out."
Eli fixes his eyes on me with that Ken-doll grin. “Kezzzzz,” he drags out my name, like a frat boy. “Welcome back. And thank you for your service.” He gives me an appreciative nod while his arms tighten around Charlotte’s waist. “Can't wait to catch up at the wedding. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
My nostrils flare. I want to tell him not to talk to me like we’re friends. We just met. But, remembering that Charlotte loves him, I offer a weak smile. “Sure thing.”
He shifts his attention back to his bride and exaggerates a kiss on her neck. My stomach drops when she giggles and I look away. I can’t watch what feels like kiss number one-hundred and seven.
“Let's get out of here, babe. I’m beat and ready for bed. Later Kez.” Eli takes her hand and they walk off toward the lobby. Meanwhile, I feel like I’m back on the beach. Powerless. I watch the love of my life walk away yet again. The aftermath of my decisions.
Before they turn the corner, I feel it—her stare. I don’t want to look, but I do. I have to. Our gazes lock, and for a moment the world falls away. Her lips part. Is she about to say something? My chest tightens. Waiting. Hoping. Please Charlotte, give me a sign. Just one.
My grip tightens around my motorcycle helmet. I take in her hazel eyes before they’re gone. The ones I’ve spent decades loving. There was something in that look. I know there was. There’s still a chance she’ll choose me…isn’t there?