Handful by C.R. Grissom
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kirsty
Everest wearing a tux is an image that will feed my fantasies for years to come. My foot catches the stair tread, but I clutch the rail before splatting at his feet.
I stop two steps above him. In my heels, we’re at eye level with each other. Our gazes meet. His eyes narrow slightly, but his smile goes wide. “Let me be the first to say you’re stunning.”
I grin at him. He makes me all gooey. His appreciative glance strokes along my nerve endings like a feather dragged across sensitive skin. We’re doomed to be friends through Faith. “Thank you, sir. You clean up nicely, too.”
“Nah. I look like I’m part of the security team, not an invited guest.”
I snicker. Thinking I’d let him pat me down any day of the week. “Not true.”
“Let me escort you to the salon.” He offers me his arm, and I clasp his elbow. I finish walking down the remaining steps focusing on where I place my feet so I don’t trip and make an ass out of myself.
“I saw your clapback posts to your ex on KickBack last night,” he admits.
Crap.I huff out a breath while embarrassed heat skims down my neck. “I don’t remember your follow request.”
“No need. Your ex has a public account, and after you showed me his immature and vindictive post, I kept an eye on it. Your post happened to be a perfect reflection of you.”
I tip my head back to glance at him. “Meaning?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Kick-ass class. You didn’t call him out on his poorly executed caption-rant. You showed him you’ve moved on and you’re not looking back. By the way, if you ever need me to crush his spine, I’m a phone call away.”
Not really. The entire country stands between us. My time in San Jose is limited for now. I’ll go back to Newford the day after tomorrow. I won’t move here for eight more months. Regardless of his offer, I won’t be able to rely on Everest to crush Daniel’s spine or do anything else for or to me for that matter. We’re friends, or more accurately, friends of friends. This can’t go anywhere. I’m way too aware of Everest.
I glance at him. “Just another example of why battery-operated beats the real thing every day of the week.”
“Man is not a squid. Depends on your choice of real. Daniel-slays-Newford is a poor pick.”
I snort. Not ladylike, but it makes Everest grin. “Truth.”
“He’s careless and short-sighted.”
His words are a balm to my tattered dignity and my warmth spreads to my hands. We enter the salon. Tiny white lights twinkle in the greenery filled with silver roses in pale lavender gray, and bright-white star-shaped stephanotis, draped over the mantel. More arrangements with the same flowers and silver candles fill the room. Gardenia blooms in stands bracket the place where Grams and Gavin will say their vows. There are fifty chairs for guests set up in the room.
I know because we added ribbons that rope off an aisle down the middle for Grams to walk down. The room glows softly beautiful.
Faith steps into the room with Caleb on her arm. Holy cow, they are such a striking pair. Caleb in his tux—his athletic build filling out the suit—turquoise eyes shining, sporting a face-splitting grin as he stares down at Faith.
My heart sighs. This is what I’ve wanted for Faith for so long. Someone who loves and appreciates her for herself, exactly as she is, no changes necessary. They’ve been together for more than a year. Their relationship is what I’d consider the gold standard. Man, who wouldn’t want what they have?
Huh?Well, not me of course. I have a life plan that doesn’t include getting serious over anyone. I reflect on the aftereffects of disastrous Daniel.
My parents eloped in college. They love and support each other, also Collin, and myself. They’re a team. I’m not like my parents, and I’m not ready to take on what they did. I wouldn’t be able to have a relationship while concentrating on school.
A shudder rolls through me. I love my family. I’d jump in front of a street mime to save them, but I won’t allow emotion or lust to cloud my direction. No matter what Dad says, I don’t believe in the Durnin family lore about falling in forever love. One kiss and you’ll know you’ve found your true mate.
Bullshit. That’s your hormones convincing your head and heart that you found a fairy tale. I don’t care how many Durnins stay married and in love after finding “the one.”
I’ve never felt that kind of connection with anyone. I know a cautionary tale when I hear it.
Everest clears his throat. I glance down, and see I’m still hanging on to his elbow, my fingers digging into his poor arm. What the hell is wrong with me? Last night I’m told I clung to Matiu, now Everest. I drop my hand and glance at his face, only to realize Faith and Caleb joined us while my mind wandered.
“Sorry. I was a couple thousand miles away.”
“Having a daydream about beating the ever-living crap out of Daniel?” Caleb asks.
“Ha. He’s not worth the effort or the arrest for assault.”
Faith hugs me, whispering, “Are you okay?”
I return her embrace. “Perfect. Thanks.”
Caleb grins. “Everest messed with Daniel’s KickBack post.”
I’m intrigued. “How did he do that?”
Everest shakes his head. “I flagged it as inappropriate. His account has been suspended for now.” He sends CW a glance brimming with a command to STFU.
“You didn’t?”
“I did.” He shrugs. “An easy fix. Before it was taken down, every Gladiator downvoted Daniel’s post.”
Faith considers their exchange for a beat. “Subject change. Any idea when TJ will join us?”
“He’s upstairs with the groom, taking pictures before the wedding,” Everest explains. “Then he’ll come down with Alan and Gavin to wait for the bride.”
This is a first marriage for Gavin, the groom. He’s spared no expense for the wedding. In my opinion, he did it correctly. Wait until your golden years to walk down the aisle. Of course, he doesn’t have kids. There’s the trade-off, which reminds me of my baby brother, Collin.
Would I want a child of my own? Undetermined, but I’ll have nearly two decades to make up my mind.
Faith is ecstatic with her baby brother, Rhys, who was born in the first week of December, a few weeks ahead of his due date. Faith flew to New York to be her mom’s birth coach. That’s another thing I’d never thought I’d see—Faith and her mom having a relationship—one that doesn’t involve pettiness and my bestie’s confidence shattered into a million jagged pieces.
Rhys became their bridge. He stills resembles an alien, but Faith doesn’t see it. She thinks her baby brother is the cutest baby on the planet, as she should. She’ll spend spring break in Manhattan.
Faith made peace with her mother, but I’m withholding judgment. Chloe’s cruelty helped shape Faith’s body dysmorphia. I won’t be handing out mother of the year awards to her anytime soon.
The room is inviting and candlelit. A cozy fire in the corner fireplace heats the space. The netting holding the balloon drop for midnight sways gently above us. Once the ceremony is complete, staff will rearrange the chairs to make room for the dance floor. The DJ will set the stage for dancing after dinner. The smell of flowers is hypnotic.
“Earth to Kirsty.” Faith snorts. “Did you teleport somewhere again?”
I startle. “Just inside the deep cavern of my mind. Sorry, I promise not to fade again.”
My phone vibrates in my hand. I check the screen. An unknown number sent me a text. Just in case it’s Collin texting me from a friend’s iPad, I unlock my phone and swipe to read the text.
Nope. Not from Collin. Someone sent me a gif. One word, blinking in red. It reads:
Cheater.
Shit. “Damn you, Daniel,” I whisper.
“What now?” Faith asks.
I turn my phone around so she can see. So does Everest, and his expression darkens. “Did he send you that?” His jaw works. “I thought you were going to block him?”
“I did. He must have used another phone or asked someone to send it to me.”
Everest nods. “Do me a favor, share Daniel’s contact with me.”
It’s kind of sweet that Everest wants his number, but I don’t want more drama. “It’s okay, really.”
I press the link at the bottom of the text to delete and report junk. I sincerely hope this will be the end. He’s called me a cheater twice. Even though I didn’t. Yes, I sat in Matiu’s lap, but Daniel and I split up weeks before I ever chose that particular seat. No cheating.
That’s not me.
Faith wraps her arm around me. “I think you should tell your dad and report him because, hello? Stalker alert.”
I rest my head against her shoulder. “No need. He’ll give up. That’s twice now. I’m sure he’ll get bored with name-calling me soon.”
“Why do you think he’s acting aggressive now? I mean, Daniel walked away from you before Christmas,” she huffs.
“I shouldn’t have posted the pic. I’m not sure why, but it must have been the emotional equivalent of throwing lighter fluid on a raging bonfire.”
“Your pic was awesome. I repeat, he walked,” Faith asserts.
“He gambled and lost,” Everest offers.
Curious I ask, “What do you mean?”
“He walked away from you to get you to change your mind about Fortis. It was a risk since all ultimatums have a fifty-fifty chance of success or failure. When he poked at you, he expected you to regret what you lost. Maybe call him to reconnect. Instead, you posted a pic with another guy.”
Caleb snorts. “Best post ever, Kirsty.”
The side of Everest’s mouth lifts in that sexy slant he probably mastered before middle school. “You squashed his emotional blackmail. Well done.”
Logical, and also terrible. I should have ignored him. “So, using FaceTime to call him from Matiu’s lap after he called me a whore on voicemail was overkill on my part. Good to know,” I say under my breath.
Everest must have heard me. He laughs. “He deserved it.”
“Damn, Everest. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize his ploy—someone should make me study harder in Psychology—you’re right,” Faith agrees. “The only thing I’m interested in is whether he’ll stop.”
His smile disappears. “Unfortunately, that’s unknown. He could dig in further, change tactics and try to guilt Kirsty into dating him again. Maybe he’ll pull the holiday card—stress or anxiety caused him to make bad decisions—claim he didn’t mean it.”
My stomach ties up in knots. I never gave him the impression that we were serious. I mean, sure, he said, “I love you” once. I panicked and told him, “Thank you.”
He never said it again. I assumed we were on the same page. My mistake.
Everest urges. “Will you do me a favor and share his contact with me? Just his phone number and email?”
“No need. If he needs his ass kicked, I’m perfectly capable.”
He grins. “No doubt. I’ll hold your coat, if necessary. Humor me.”
I’m trying to figure out why Everest wants this data. I don’t see how it will make a difference.
Caleb makes eye contact with me. “Give Everest the info. He won’t reach out to Daniel the dickhole.”
I glance at Faith. She looks as mystified as I am. I can’t figure out why this is important. “Okay.” I pass Everest my unlocked phone. “Create a contact for yourself and I’ll share his info with you. If anything, send him a pic of you lifting a car over your head, then tell him you’re the bodyguard I hired.”
Everest barks out a laugh. “I’ll start by lifting a Harley, maybe work up to a VW.”
He spends about ten seconds creating a contact then hands my phone back to me. Our fingers brush against each other, and the sizzle shoots all the way up my arm. I peek at the screen. No name. Just a Mountain emoji and his number.
I give him side-eye. “Hand me your phone.”
He starts to give it to me.
“Unlocked, please.”
Everest turns it around to register his face, and then places his cell in my palm. I call his number from my cell and hang up. I check his recent calls, select my number, then create a contact for myself. I use the female superhero emoji instead of my name.
I place his cell back in his hand. He takes a quick look at my contact and the corner of his mouth lifts.
“You found one for epidemiologists.”
His clever comment offers support, and awakens a rumpus in my stomach. Daniel never took an interest. He was floored by the thought I’d have to get a master’s degree—the time commitment, plus the cost—he couldn’t wrap his mind around it.
Originally, I wanted to be a pharmacist, but after Granny Kay died of breast cancer and Mom had her scare about a year ago, I switched focus. My grandmother had no idea she had a genetic predisposition toward this kind of cancer and refused chemotherapy after they removed the lump. She strongly felt that if she was supposed to survive, she would. Otherwise, the Good Lord was calling her home and she wasn’t going to fight him on that.
We couldn’t get her to change her mind, but I could change my focus. Mom’s lump was found once we were armed with this new family history. Hers was benign, but you can never be too careful. I’d like to help families like mine who face hereditary cancer and other diseases.
In hindsight, I attributed Daniel’s apathy to his blandness. I didn’t pay attention, and that’s on me. I should have kicked his ass to the curb long before.
Ugh. Why did I stay with him for nearly a year? The answer is clear: I was lonely. Faith was here, and I stayed home. Daniel was someone to go to movies with. I became complacent.
Lesson learned.
Daniel served up a vital reminder that I need to remain focused on my needs. Study, and preparing for my transfer to Fortis. I need to do all the things Granny Kay expected me to do with the money she set aside for my education. ‘Pick a career. Don’t be like your mother and settle for the Mrs. degree. You’re better than that,’ she’d tell me time and time again. She’d often forget I’m the reason Mom chose marriage over education.
Her harsh reminders hurt me. No one wants to know they’re a life-changing mistake.
Granny Kay didn’t have to push me toward college—it’s always been a part of my plan. The money she set aside for me certainly helps me toward those goals. Still, the pang of Granny Kay’s loss cuts deep, making the pain fresh.
I focus on what’s happening now, instead of looking back.
Alan steps into the room. Behind him are Gavin and TJ. The older men both look handsome and distinguished, like film stars from a bygone era.
TJ is smoking hot. His dark hair curls at his nape, not to mention his killer bod filling out his fitted tux. Anytime Phoebe is in the same room with TJ, his golden eyes remain focused on her. My friends are outrageously happy in their relationships.
I’m grateful they found men who appreciate them.
TJ joins us, exchanging a complicated handshake with Caleb. He claps Everest on the back. “Hey, Kirsty. You look beautiful. Feeling better?”
I smile at him. “Yes, thanks. Last night’s indulgence is a distant memory.”
He leans in to peck Faith on the cheek. “Girl, you’re going to give CW heart failure one of these days.”
“Truth.” Caleb flicks his shoulder. “Look at you, all cleaned up. Maybe you can get a job at an upscale restaurant instead of the gym. Better tips.”
“Ha. I like my job. It’s like I get paid to work out.”
The singer arrives and sets up in the far corner of the room next to the piano. I glance at my phone—almost time to start.
Everest asks, “May I walk you to your seat?”
“That would be nice.”
I place my hand on his forearm—its circumference solid and significant—it’s unlikely I could circle it using both hands. “You can always apply to be an Avenger if that coding thing doesn’t work out for you.”
He barks out a laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He leads me to the fifth seat in the front row on the left side.
Behind us, Caleb escorts Faith to the same row. He places a kiss on her forehead and joins Everest at the back of the salon ready to escort guests to their seats.
Faith leans in to whisper, “Pray tell, do I detect a flirtation between you and the mountain?”
Her teasing tone tugs a grin from me. “He’s serious man candy. I’d be interested in mountain climbing for sport. However, he’s a caretaker. I doubt he’d be interested in signing up for the occasional movie-booty-buddy route.”
She nods. “You’re right. He protects those he cares about. He’s not into casual sex as a rule. He and Charlene started out that way, but he stayed in touch, and kept it going. Nothing shakes him. I wouldn’t want to see him hurt.”
“I learned my lesson with Daniel.”
“Hmm. Don’t hold what happened with Daniel as a relationship example. He’s not only clueless, but selfish, too. You were clear. He chose to ignore your goals. That’s on him.”
I nudge her shoulder. “Says the girl with the ideal boyfriend.”
One eyebrow hikes upward. “Dimitri was a cruel bastard, and I decided all men were like him. That judgment prevented me from trusting Caleb for far too long.”
“I could ask Everest if he’ll consider a few evenings filled with popcorn, movies, and sex without strings.”
She grins at me.
I glance over my shoulder, while Faith and I chatted, the salon filled with people. Everest and Caleb join us in our row.
“What did I miss?” he asks.
An entire discussion over whether I should jump into bed with you.My face heats. “Nothing much. This wedding makes it easy to forget about the holiday. Will you spend the first day of the year watching college football?”
He grins. “No, I’m still bummed over the fact we didn’t make it to a bowl game this season. I’m boycotting.”
“What will you do instead?”
“I’ll spend some time at home with my family. It’ll be chaotic, a default with my sisters.”
More than one sister. Huh. “How many sisters do you have?”
“Five.”
“Holy crap. There are six of you?”
He smiles ruefully. “My dad wanted a big family.” He pauses. “Then he didn’t,” he admits like an afterthought.
Ouch.No heat or any inflection of emotion. This isn’t new information, but I still can’t begin to imagine it. I pat his arm.
His expression remains neutral. “How about you? What are your plans for the first day of the year?”
“I’ll hang out with Faith and her dad. We’ll catch up in a way we haven’t been able to this week.”
“That’ll be nice.”
“Absolutely.”
In her seat on the other side of Everest, Faith glances over her shoulder. “The minister is here.”
His arrival signals the fact the ceremony will take place soon. Gavin and Alan move to the front of the salon along with the minister. TJ continues to usher the last guests to their seats.
Once the seats are filled, the musician sitting at the piano starts to play “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac. The woman singing sounds like an angel. It’s a beautiful song. My heart constricts. My parents dance to this song every year on their wedding anniversary. Without fail, they’d come home from dinner late, turn on the song, and dance in the living room.
My eyes go damp.
We all turn in our seats as Phoebe crosses the threshold holding a simple ribbon-wrapped bouquet of purple-colored calla lilies. TJ meets her and walks her up the short aisle. They turn into our row and remain standing while Agnes enters the salon. She walks down the aisle holding the same type of hand-tied bouquet. She slips into the row opposite of our own, and turns her body slightly to focus on the doors.
We all stand for the bride.
Grams enters the room. We all let out a collective sigh. She walks down the aisle with a bouquet of gardenias. Her floor-length dress shines like warm vanilla. The square neckline and bolero jacket have tiny seed pearls. She’s wearing a kind of a pillbox hat in ivory with a short length of netting that serves as a veil. She looks elegant and beautiful. The satin fabric catches the light.
I glance at Gavin. His expression says it all. Love shines from his eyes. His smile stretches across his face. His left hand closes tight, maybe with nerves, but then his fingers relax. His body language reflects peace and anticipation.
I release the breath I’m holding.
Beside me Everest glances down. He mouths, Okay?
I nod.
The corner of his mouth lifts.
I want to press my lips against the curve and taste him. The urge is strong, but I focus on Grams instead.
Gavin takes Grams’s hand. The minister asks us to sit, and the ceremony begins. He talks about finding love and someone to share your life with, and then he reads a Scottish wedding prayer.
I have to swallow back tears.
Grams and Gavin exchange vows, and I notice Agnes pressing a tissue under each eye to wipe away the wet.
When the minister pronounces them man and wife, we cheer. They walk down the aisle and into the foyer. TJ hugs Phoebe before they follow Gavin and Grams.
Alan escorts his wife down the aisle. James and Agnes follow a few paces behind. Faith and Caleb are next. Then Everest escorts me. All the other guests follow. Grams and Gavin greet their guests at the entrance to the dining room.
Everest leans down to ask, “What is always in front of you but can’t be seen?”
It takes me a beat before I blurt, “The future?”
“Yes. Grams and Gavin have a bright one ahead,” he murmurs.
I happen to agree. They’re practically beaming joy. After congratulating the newly married couple, we find our seats.
Flowers wind around tall wrought-iron centerpieces on each table. Tiny tea candles provide twinkling lights at each place setting. Grams and Gavin have a table set for the two of them.
Our table of ten includes my friends and members of the wedding party. I’m seated next to Everest. Two singles without plus-ones. At least I’m paired with Everest—someone I can talk to instead of a vacant seat—and I’m grateful.
Thirsty, I take the water glass at my setting and drink deep. I set the empty glass down, bummed there isn’t more.
Everest switches our glasses and places his untouched full glass in front of me. “Drink up.”
He pays attention, which is nice. “Thanks.”
Once the newlyweds sit, Caleb clangs his fork against his empty wineglass. Grams and Gavin smile and lean toward each other for the obligatory kiss.
It’s really sweet.
It makes me believe in real-deal love. Like my parents. I believe in love, it’s just not for me. Not right now. I chose to wait to go to a four-year college when Collin was born. When August rolls around and I transfer to Fortis, I want to be selfish and put my needs first. Focus on everything I put on hold.
After dinner, we all go back to the salon for dancing. Grams and Gavin glide around the room to their first song, “With These Hands” by Tom Jones. The lyrics are romantic and the love shining from their eyes makes me go misty.
The next few hours pass quickly. All of us crowd the dance floor at various times. TJ makes a special song request and takes Phoebe out onto the dance floor when “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri plays, and they dance like they share the same body, fluid and flowing. They come together, then TJ spins Phoebe out, and back into his arms.
The moves are complicated, but they make the dance look effortless. Phoebe’s grin is wide, and Tiago’s golden eyes shine. They sway to the music, before he spins her out again. No one else joins them on the dance floor. We all just form a circle around the perimeter.
A sharp pang pinches my heart. I know I’m being emotional because weddings wake all the feels inside my dormant heart. Unable to glance away, I’m riveted by them. It’s like being ringside at a reality TV dance show, especially when he dips her and presses his lips against her mouth.
Everest leans down to whisper in my ear. “I had no idea they could dance like that.”
“You’d think they’ve been together for years instead of months.”
“Right? I’m glad they found each other. They make a good team.”
Hmm.I never thought about relationships in that regard. “What is it about Fortis? Do you guys have a love potion added to the water filtration system?”
“Hmm.”
A flutter hits my tummy. He’s not dating anyone right now. Knock it off, I scold myself.
We all clap at the end of the song. Phoebe and TJ give us a slight bow. The DJ plays the “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid and everyone crowds to the dance floor for the line dance.
I’m having a blast. Faith, Phoebe, and I dance next to each other, laughing and going through the dance moves. Everest leads everyone in the steps. He’s surprisingly adept as a dancer.
It’s unexpected and hot as fuck.
The photographer takes a pic of us girls with our arms wrapped around each other at the end of the dance. I’m in the middle, the short one between two taller women.
The DJ announces, “Three minutes to midnight.”
I turn to walk off the dance floor. “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys starts to play.
Everest asks, “Dance with me?”
It’s the first time he’s asked all night. Sure, we’ve been out here together, but separately when everyone else was moving along to the music and partners weren’t necessary.
I nod.
When our palms touch, a sizzle flows through my hand strongly enough to close my fingers tight in reaction, like a two-pronged plug with a hot and neutral side. I can’t believe sparks don’t arc between our hands. I worry I’m the only one feeling the electrical charge. Everest pulls me close as though nothing happened.
In my six-inch heels, there’s still about a foot that separates us in height. Alicia Keys’s voice washes over me, and the lyrics strike a chord. Yeah, I wouldn’t need the material things either. We sway to the music. Our bodies align—the top of my head even with his phenomenal pecs—through the fabric of his dress shirt I could easily take a quick nibble of the muscles framing his heart.
I’m hyper aware of the breadth of his body next to mine. The strength those muscles represent. My throat goes dry because the temperature just ramped about ten degrees. I’ve got to stop fantasizing about him.
Focus, I admonish myself.
Everest is a good dancer. I haven’t seen him pull out the same moves as TJ, but he’s no slouch either. Now I have to remind myself not to get lost in the moment. I’ll be gone for months. Besides, I have no time to invest in something new with Everest.
Listen to Granny Kay. Don’t take your eyes off the prize.
His hand continues to pulse around mine. The music blankets us. I play a game in my head. What if I forget Granny Kay’s advice and let myself go? Forget my bulleted list of goals and aspirations that don’t include getting involved with another man. How might it feel to let myself fall?
My left heel snags on an uneven patch on the floor. My foot wobbles but before my ankle gives out Everest catches me by placing both hands at my waist and lifting me so I don’t hurt myself.
“Okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, thanks. I hit a rough patch.”
Everest sets me down. “Haven’t we all?”
I grin up at him because he’s right. “By the way, thanks for reporting Daniel’s post on KickBack.”
Everest makes eye contact. “Anytime.”
His lips quirk, and it tugs something deep inside my core. Dammit. I’ve got to stop my body from reacting.
The DJ says, “Thirty seconds to the new year.”
Everest holds my gaze. We’re barely moving now. His body slides ever so softly against mine. My pulse kicks up and I don’t glance away.
“Ten, nine, eight…” the crowd chants.
We remain rooted in place. Now I’m playing a dangerous game of will he or won’t he at the stroke of midnight. Will he kiss me or simply brush his lips across my cheek? I’m lost in his navy-blue gaze.
“Five, four, three…” The noise level continues to climb.
We don’t let go of each other. We’re not even pretending to move. I’m caught in stasis, trapped by the depths of his ocean-colored gaze.
“Two, one. Happy New Year!” the guests roar.
Everest leans down toward me.
My heart slams against my ribs. My lips part in anticipation.
His pupils narrow.
I zero in on the shape of his lips. The full lower lip and the elongated Cupid’s bow of his upper lip. I’ve never stared at his mouth before. It’s beautifully shaped. His face draws near.
I raise to the tips of my toes. Anticipation unfurls inside me.
Everest rubs his lips across my mouth. “Happy New Year,” he murmurs.
My lips spark. He starts to pull away, and disappointment stabs me. I set my feet firmly back on the floor.
Then he mouths, Fuck it. He swoops down and cradles my face in his large hands. When our lips collide, my eyes squeeze shut. My lips part and his tongue touches mine. Bright white light flashes behind my closed lids. All noise recedes. Balloons cascade down over our heads. I swear I can feel my blood swish through my veins.
One word floats through my fogged brain. Him.
We separate. His smile spreads and the word becomes a chant in my heart.
Him. Him. Him.
No. No. No.I can’t do this.
Screw Durnin family lore.