7. Chapter 7
Rory
“Callahan has extended a dinner invitation. Since we have appearances to maintain, you will be required to attend.”
My heart sank and panic seized my lungs. I didn’t want to see Callahan again.
What if he brings up the kiss? Sweat dampened my palms and I squeezed my hands into fists.
“Do not try to argue, Aurora, unless you wish to receive another lashing before dinner.”
I gritted my teeth and nodded like a good little daughter. Fern smiled at me, full of venom and hatred. “Do try not to embarrass me tonight, sorella.” She sneered the word, full of sarcasm and condescension. “And don’t even think of speaking to Cal again. I saw you two together. I’ll make sure Carlo makes you bleed next time if you so much as breathe in Cal’s direction.”
Elio sighed. “Mia figlia, she will have to be cordial to him. We have to keep on his good side.”
Fern huffed. “Fine, but if you so much as step one toe out of line, so help you God.”
I smiled at her, showing a little more tooth than necessary. “I’ll behave. I promise.”
I turned on my heel and climbed the stairs, heading to my room when Elio’s voice stopped me.
“And be sure to dress presentably. He’s invited us to join him at Grandioso. Find something formal. If you’re unsure, ask Fern to help you find something.”
“Of course,” I replied sagely. I’d ask Fern for fashion help over my dead body.
I thumbed through the dresses in my closet and settled on a light blue, floor length fitted sheath style gown. The material shimmered like it was covered in tiny crystals. The cowl neck came up to thin spaghetti straps and the back dipped low to bare my skin.
I showered and curled my hair, pinning pieces up to create a low maintenance updo. A few stray hairs framed my face. I swiped a nude shimmer over my lids and a pale pink gloss over my lips and applied mascara before slipping into the dress.
As I walked down the stairs, Elio and Fern stared up at me. Elio looked surprisingly pleased but Fern was absolutely fuming. She wore an olive green tea-length dress that stopped well above her knees, thanks to her height. The color was remarkably similar to the one and only diaper I changed after Fern’s cousin had given birth. The material was ruched and bunched in unflattering places. The neckline was square and accentuated her broad shoulders. Her hair hung limp and straight, her eyeliner was smudged at the corner and she had plum purple lipstick on two of her top teeth.
I found a ridiculous amount of pleasure in her jealousy. “You look lovely, Fern,” I said, voice dripping in sincerity and sugary sweetness.
“Let’s be going, now, mia figlia. We don’t want to be late.”
The car ride to the restaurant was quiet and my mind raced a mile a minute. I was nervous about seeing him again but trusted he wouldn’t mention the kiss. If he did, it would end his engagement and this peace treaty was necessary for both families. But still, I worried.
The memory of his touch, the way my skin had reacted before my mind even registered the pleasure of his calloused fingers on me, the way his eyes had burned as they focused on my face, it all swam through my mind on a loop, stirring up faint arousal and even more nervousness.
By the time we arrived, I had practiced my greeting a thousand times and was determined to be as short as social graces would allow. I had conjured his image in my mind to prepare myself for seeing him again. I pictured his eyes over and over, the pale, minty green ringed by a darker pine, in the hopes that I wouldn’t get lost in them again.
But nothing prepared me for actually seeing him. I walked behind Fern and Elio, mostly hidden behind their larger forms. I saw him seated at the white covered table before he stood and buttoned his jacket to greet us. He introduced Lorcan, the elderly man standing next to him, before he greeted Elio with a firm handshake that had Elio rubbing at the soreness afterwards before he turned to Fern. He leaned in to kiss her cheek and his eyes found me over her shoulder.
He stopped before he reached Fern’s raised cheek, his face slack and his eyes wide and focused on me.
And despite all my practice in the car, I was lost. After a delayed moment, he leaned in and finished greeting Fern. A strange swirling nausea found me as his lips touched her cheek. He gently moved Fern out of the way as he stepped towards me and she gasped at the rude maneuver before shooting daggers at me.
Do not touch him, her eyes screamed.
He reached out and grabbed my left hand, bringing it gently to his lips. He stared into my eyes as he kissed the back of my fingers. His thumb massaged the top of my ring finger before he lowered my hand.
“Pleasure to see you again, Rory.”
“Rory?!” Fern’s voice was nearly a screech.
“Yes, Rory.” Callahan glanced at her over his shoulder. “Surely you know Aurora,” his eyes met mine sharply, “prefers to be called Rory?”
“Actually, Fern and Elio only call me Aurora. It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Byrne.”
“You can call me Cal.”
Fern’s breath was heaving through her nostrils and I imagined if she were an animated bull, steam would be billowing out with each breath. The image almost made me giggle.
I pulled my hand from Cal’s and smiled neutrally at him, reminding myself to be cordial and nothing more. “Nice to meet you officially, Cal.” I stepped back behind Elio to put space between us, hoping to appease Fern.
Cal’s eyes followed me before he looked at Elio. “Please, have a seat.”
The fact that he was taking the lead and giving commands to Elio was a thinly veiled disrespect. Usually, the older of the two would take the lead, so Cal stepping in would be a slap to Elio’s pride. That, coupled with his blatant disregard for Fern and his stern attention to me, and I knew my night was going to be a painful one.