I can’t deny I experience a certain sense of satisfaction. It’s a small step, but it’s something. And maybe Eden will think twice before her next attack.
Probably not, but I can hope.
Before Eden can say anything else, I step around her and walk out, head held high.
I run right into Lukas.
He grins at me. That wicked grin that makes my heart beat double time. “I was coming to rescue you, but I see you’re doing just fine on your own.”
I look at him, this man I’d lost my heart to and know it’s time make some decisions. I can’t keep asking for nothing because that’s all I think I deserve. If I don’t stand up for what I want, nobody else will.
It’s time to stop expecting less.
I raise my chin. “I’d like to go home.”
* * *
Lukas
Iglance at Abby, who sits practically motionless in the passenger seat. She’s been silent for the fifteen minutes we’ve been driving, staring out the window. Her stillness worries me. The way she doesn’t look at me worries me. I’d wanted to give her space to shake off the ugly scene in the restaurant, but now she’s just making me nervous.
And I have no idea what to do about it.
God, her sister is a piece of work. I’ve known women like her and have always stayed far away. Sure, I dated party girls, but I’m smart enough to avoid the mean ones.
And Eden Simmons is a mean one.
I can’t believe Abby grew up with that. She’d told me, but until I saw it for myself, I didn’t understand how bad it was.
And her parents, they just let the viper control everything and beat up on Abby. I kept waiting for them to put Eden in her place, but the time never came. Since they’d refused to stick up for Abby, I’d been prepared to step in, but she’d managed all on her own.
I’m proud of her, except, something has changed.
Since she stepped out of that bathroom she’s been remote, and I don’t know how to reach her or what to do about it. I grab her hand. Her fingers are icy despite the warm weather, and she doesn’t squeeze back the way she normally does.
The urge to talk and break through this distance is too overwhelming and I say, “You know, your sister is jealous of you.”
“I doubt that.” Her voice is soft, too soft.
“That’s because you can’t see it as an outsider would.” I’m desperate to make her see, for her to understand how special she is. Like if I can just fix it and make her believe, everything will be fine.
“I know what outsiders see,” she says, still not looking away from the window. Still answering in that flat tone.
“You don’t though,” I insist as the first threads of true panic weave a tight knot in my gut.
She turns away from the window and narrows her gaze, shaking her head. “Don’t try and tell me she’s not beautiful.”
My heart bangs against my ribs and I pull into my driveway, turn off the ignition, and shift in the bucket seat to face her. I want to lie. Every male instinct I possess tells me to deny her beauty, but I can’t. Abby’s too logical for that, too pragmatic. Her and her damned realism.
I nod. “Yes, she is. But inside she’s ugly and broken.”
It’s the god’s honest truth, I only hope she sees it in my expression.
“I know.”
The words bring me no sense of relief. I pick up Abby’s cool hand and press my lips to her fingertips. “You, however, are the whole package. Smart. Beautiful. And totally irresistible.”
Those brown eyes of hers don’t thaw even the tiniest bit. Instead her jaw hardens. “I don’t want to be compared to her anymore.”