Page 23 of Fighting Fate

Looking at her is like looking in the mirror, and I recognise every emotion fleeting through her expression and darkening her eyes as if I’m the one feeling them.

“I’m worried he’s making it harder for her and that his fear of Eleanor going off the rails again is going to end up being the cause of it.”

After a silent moment, Beth asks, “Have you spoken to him about it?”

“I’m afraid that if I voice my worries that it’s only going to make it harder for him. I’ve been here before and—”

“It’s not like that, though,” I blurt.

Jake has been in love with Dorian from the moment he set eyes on her. He’s devoted to her and Daniel, her son. I might be useless with my own love life, however, hers is straightforward.

“Jake is head over heels for you.”

A smile finally relaxes the worry etched on Dorian’s face. “Oh, I’m not questioning or doubting his love. I know it’s mine and that it’s never going to change.”

Quincy glances at me and Beth, obviously trying to read the room before she asks, “But?”

“There isn’t a but. It is what it is. I love him, and he loves me…that’s the be-all, end-all of it.”

“Right. So…?” Beth finishes what’s left of her drink.

“So…it’s the navigating this bloody mess. Jake wants to protect his sister, and I need to protect my son. If it all blows up, it’ll be an impossible situation. Jake will lose it, Eleanor will be back to square one, and I’ll be in the middle of it all with Daniel. How am I meant to hold it all together?”

“Maybe talk to Jamie about it?” Quincy suggests. “None of us knows much about what happened before, but Jamie was there. They’re best mates, and he’s your brother, so it’s not like he’s only going to care about his friend’s welfare, you know?”

“Maybe I’m being unreasonable about it all…” Dorian sinks back into her chair with a deep breath, her hand resting on mine.

Since we were little, this is something we’ve always done. A kind of comfort that comes from our unique connection.

“It’s not unreasonable,” I tell her, turning my palm to hers so that our fingers lace together. “You’re entitled to worry when you know there’s a risk that Daniel will get hurt. You’re entitled to protect him…and yourself.”

“Huh,” Beth chuckles lightly. She’s good at diffusing these tense situations with her humour. “Misery pants is finally talking sense.”

“You’re a dick.”

“I prefer cock.”

“Prick.”

“I hate that word. There’s nothing but disappointment attached to it. Everything that you can get pricked on is always so unimpressive. A thorn…a needle…it’s always something small and meh.”

“Of course, you’re all into big dick energy.”

Fuck, I regret going back there instantly. A devious grin stretches across her face while she asks, “Are we going to finally talk about it?”

“No,” I snap, but when we’re about to fall into the awkward silence again, my resolve buckles. “Ugh, I hate you.”

“So what’s wrong with Mr. Too Nice Guy?” Beth takes the in without a second of pause.

“It’s…umm…it’s me. There’s nothing really wrong with him. Rory’s…I don’t know…”

“What’s putting you off?” Dorian asks, turning to face me.

“He’s not my type.”

Beth groans to the other side of me, eyes rolling. “That’s it?”

“What guy researches what your favourite meal is before your first date? Or you know…who invites someone to their place for dinner and then doesn’t put out? What’s the point of the flowers and the candles and the touching when you don’t follow through?”

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