Chapter 2
MORGANA
Morgana!”
I turn to find my mother approaching, her mouth curved downward with disapproval. She looks me up and down, her eyes lingering on my stomach and hips, even though I know this dress is flattering. It hugs my curves in a tasteful and flattering way.
“Hi, Mom.”
“I didn’t know you were bringing someone.” Her tone suggests this is somehow a personal failing on my part.
Kane’s hand slides to my waist, pulling me against his side. “Ma’am. Kane Williams. It’s nice to see you again.”
My mother’s eyes sharpen as she takes him in. I can see her recalibrating, trying to figure out how someone like me landed someone like him.
“Again? Have we met before?”
“Briefly, years ago. I’ve been friends with Morgana since high school.”
“Friends.” She says it like she thinks he’s lying. “And now you’re together?”
Kane smiles and puts his arm around my shoulders, and I have to suppress a smile as I watch my mom look confused, because she clearly thinks Kane is way, way out of my league.
Before my mother can interrogate us further, Aunt Carol appears with a few of my cousins trailing behind her.
“Morgana! You look so healthy! Have you been eating well?”
The word “healthy” lands like a slap. I know what she means. She means I’ve gained weight since she last saw me. She means I’m not as thin as Belinda or my cousins. She means I’m not trying hard enough.
My whole body tenses and heat prickles under my skin, shame and anger battling for space. I straighten my shoulders, even as I wish I could disappear.
“She looks stunning,” Kane says immediately, his voice leaving no room for argument. “As usual.”
Aunt Carol blinks at his tone, then forces a smile. “Of course.”
Some of my cousins fan out around us, wine glasses already in hand. They smile, but I remember these smiles from childhood. You’re in for trouble if you think one of their smiles is sincere.
“We haven’t seen you in ages,” Sarah says, air-kissing my cheek. “Not since Emma’s wedding.”
Where I wasn’t in the wedding party despite being family. But I don’t say that. It’s not like I wanted to be, but all the other cousins were, and it was glaringly obvious that my not being included was intentional and meant to be hurtful.
“And you have a date,” Emma adds, her gaze sliding to Kane with evident appreciation. “Good for you.”
Before the conversation can spiral further, I hear a familiar laugh. My stomach drops.
Victor and Belinda are making their way through the crowd, greeting guests. He looks exactly the same—tall, lean, handsome. Belinda clings to his arm.
They reach our group, and Victor’s eyes find mine. Something that looks like surprise flickers across his face. I’m guessing he didn’t think I’d come.
“Morgana,” he says stiffly. “Glad you could make it.”
For a second, nostalgia tugs at me, but it fades fast. Whatever we had was gone long before we even broke up, much less moved on to Belinda.
“Victor.” I’m proud of how steady my voice sounds. “Congratulations.”
His eyes slide to Kane. “And this is...?”
“Kane Williams.” Kane extends his hand, and I notice Victor wince slightly as Kane grips his hand.
Belinda’s smile is as sharp as glass. “How wonderful! We were so worried Morgana would come alone. You know, after...” She pauses and looks Kane over, then looks at me directly. “You two make such an interesting couple.”
“We should keep making rounds,” Victor says quickly, clearly uncomfortable, and I wonder if it’s because of Kane’s presence or mine. “Lots of people to greet.”
The second they’re gone, Sarah laughs again. “God, Morgana, where did you find him? He’s like something out of a romance novel.”
“We’ve known each other since high school,” I say.
“Wait, really?” Jennifer’s eyes widen. “And you’re only now getting together? What took so long?”
I open my mouth, but no words come. I should have expected this question, but now I’m at a loss for what to say.
“Timing,” Kane answers for me. “Sometimes you have to wait for the right moment.”
His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining, and I have to remind myself this isn’t real. We’re not correcting my family in their assumption that he’s my boyfriend, but Kane knows me well enough to know that fudging things a little this weekend isn’t a sin.
“Well,” Emma says, “better late than never, I suppose.”
Another backhanded compliment. Like I should be grateful I found anyone at all, even if it took this long.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Kane says, “I promised Morgana a dance.”
He leads me away before they can respond, but not before I overhear Sarah saying, “God. Why has she hidden him? That man is gorgeous!”
“Right,” Jennifer replies, and I can envision her rolling her eyes. “I mean, good for her, I guess, but how did she land someone like him?”
I pause and start to turn, but Kane tightens his grip on my arm.
“Don’t. They’re not worth arguing with.”
“Kane, you don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” He pulls me into his arms, one hand settling on my waist, the other taking mine. “Besides, you looked like you needed some space.”
He’s right. Away from my family’s scrutiny, I can finally take a full breath.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For what you said back there. About us.”
“Which part?”
“All of it. The way you defended me to Aunt Carol. What you said to Victor.”
We sway together, and I become hyperaware of every point of contact.
His hand on my waist, warm through the thin fabric of my dress.
The solid strength of his shoulder under my palm.
The way he’s wearing the expensive cologne I bought him last Christmas, because I knew it would smell amazing on him.
I was right. It does.
My pulse thumps, and I realize how easy it is to sink into this moment, how dangerous it feels to want more.
“Your family’s brutal,” he murmurs.
“I tried to warn you.”
“No, I mean...” He pulls back slightly to look at me. “The things they say to you. The way they make you shrink into yourself. I hate it.”
“It’s always been like this. I’m used to it.”
“Morgana,” Kane sighs, his forehead creased. “Abusive behavior isn’t something you should have to endure. You deserve so much better than that!”
The fierce protectiveness in his voice makes my eyes sting. I lean into him, letting myself pretend for a moment that this is real. I’ve never had a man stand up for me the way Kane does.
“Morgana.”
I look up at him. His green eyes are dark, intense, searching my face for something.
“Yeah?”
“You know you’re incredible, right? Smart and funny and beautiful and…” He cuts himself off, jaw clenching. “They’re idiots if they can’t see that.”
“You have to say that. You’re my best friend.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true.”