Page 23 of Endless Love

“Right, and don’t forget Alex. That man would sell his soul for you.” Her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes though. I wonder if she’s okay having to share his love for me. We all want someone just for us, alone. Why wouldn’t she? She tilts her head to the lake, melancholy flashing in her eyes.

“I would do the same for him in a heartbeat.” She nods as if she knows it already and returns from her mental wanderings. Will she ever confide in me?

“Let’s hope it won’t come to that. I’m sure my dear brother won’t take it as lightly as I do.” A pang of something undefined strikes me, but I brush it off. I love Alex, but Damien, he owns my soul.

“Alex and I, we’re family.” She turns her head back to me, and her full lips lift into a small smile.

“Still . . .”

“There’s nothing to overthink about, Soph.”

“Do you think he can love me the way he loves you?” she blurts out, her eyes widening.

“You don’t want that, believe me. Let him love you how it should be.”

“If you and Damien . . .”

I put my hand over hers, and cut right straight to her unfinished words. “Talk to him. He tends to fight alone. Show him it doesn’t have to be like that with you. He also has a side to him that fears rejection. Smash down his walls. You’re a du Sky, it’s in your blood.”

“There’s no one else for you, right?”

“Never was.”

She shuts her eyes for a second and asks, “Are you afraid?”

“Of a lot of things, to be honest. Not to grow old with him, to wanting to give him a child . . .” Hurt seeps through my heart, hearing out loud my greatest fears, but every day I get a little better, and the damage caused by my fears in the face of reality subsides.

“He won’t do anything that might threaten your recovery, and pregnancy could weaken your heart. I’m sorry.” She finds my hand on the table and pats it in sympathy. “He has only ever needed and wanted you. I’m sure you can work it out together.”

“Yes, we always do.”

“Back to the wedding. How far are you with the planning?”

“What planning?” Her eyes bulge out, and she shakes her head at me.

“Bria?”

“It’s not my fault your brother keeps me occupied all the time.” She scrunches her nose while I stifle my amusement.

“Don’t put images in my head.”

“Stop being a child.”

“Stop being a pervert.”

We burst into laughter, the sound echoing around us.

“Don’t distract me from the important aspect. You need a wedding dress.”

“We have to fly to London.”

“Can’t wait,” she squeals, then adds, “How about the honeymoon?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“How romantic of him. Years of playing the heartless playboy, and the moment you’re back in his life, he’s like a puppy.” I flinch, a mix of hurt and disgust rolling down my stomach.

“I would appreciate not discussing Damien’s past and his many affairs.” She props both elbows on the table, her palms supporting each cheek.

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