Page 16 of Four Times Taken

Turning away from them, I called in to the shelter. Of course, everything was going as best as could be expected. The volunteers encouraged me not to worry about my mother and have some fun. Soft music filled up the transparent-roofed terrace with floral accents. It was one of those romantic songs that makes you sick to your stomach. People cheered, and I turned around to see Ann-Marie and her new husband take to the floor. I focused on her flushed cheeks and twinkling eyes as she smiled up at him. A tear ran down my cheek as I wrestled with the fear deep within me, the creeping anxiety that screamed at me that she might be in danger. I've never lived a day without that voice. It's persistent, but I tried, for Ann-Marie's sake, to tune into her joy.

As a server passed by with a tray of champagne, I eyed the glasses with longing. Between pretending that Eric wasn't here, fighting the demons of my past that festered into biases, and struggling to hang on to the hope I had for my friend, I was spent. A drink would help if I weren't a recovering addict.

Taking a seat, I focused on my grounding exercises and counted my breaths. I was too aware of the room, so aware that I was no longer in it as the music changed to something funky. On the dance floor, Eric and his friends took center stage again. I rolled my eyes, grabbing an orange juice when the server passed by once more. That's the thing with Eric; he's not the kind of person who is 'invisible.' He's impossible to ignore. If he's not making an ass of himself, he's making everyone swoon. His friends are just like him.

Searching the room for the photographer, in need of a major distraction, I found that he's still on the job, which was just as well. I'm not that pumped about hooking up with anybody at the moment, anyway. I just wanted to get through the day, be here for my friend, and leave without having to share a word with Eric.

"Lilyyyy," Ann-Marie sang, parting the crowd of people standing before me. She pulled me up off my seat and onto the dance floor. She danced off-beat to the music, and I'm lucky if I even find the beat in the first place. "I know a wedding is probably a nightmare for you." She took my hands. "I know you'd rather be anywhere else." She grinned. "That's why it means so much that you'd show up for me. I love you. You know that, right?"

As I'm about to answer her, she twirled me. My shoulder cracked. It's so awkward, I burst out laughing. We hugged each other as the music changed into a slow dance.

"May I cut in?" A heavy voice cut through the tranquility of our embrace. This brief hug was the first time I took a natural breath in over an hour, and I tried not to bristle at the irony that someone of the male species ruined it.

Thinking it's her husband, I smiled and stepped out of the way. But instead of moving toward the person, Ann-Marie walked away. With my heartbeat drowning out the chords of the slow song, I turned to look up into the eyes of none other than Eric.

Chapter 11

Eric

Pumped full of the confidence encouraged by my friends and a bit of alcohol, I approached Lily from behind. Damn, that dress was kissing all of her angles just right. Not too tight, not too loose, it rested upon her body like a soft caress. The alcohol egged me on, filling my head with images of slipping that dress from over her shoulders. I held my breath when she turned around. Her smile faded as she regarded me and scooted out of my way.

Okay, well, that wasn't the reaction I was hoping for. But it's Lily; it's not like she's going to agree to dance with a stranger. I guess that part of her is still the same.

Grinning, I followed her. "Lily, it's me. It's..."

"I know who you are, Eric," she dragged in a low tone, over her shoulder as she walked over to the table where the finger food was being laid out.

Ouch. "So, you did recognize me; you've just been avoiding me." I frowned. She didn't answer me. "Lily, I think we need to have a talk."

Her shoulders tensed, and her jawline went rigid for a second, but she got past it with a dry laugh. "Do you?" she asked. "About what?"

"You know what about." I watched as she piled finger food after finger food on top of her plate, mindlessly.

Those shoulders rose and fell as she sighed. "Nope. I don't think I do."

"Lily," I said, daring to reach out to touch her and turn her toward me. She looked from my hands to me, and there's a warning in her eyes that made me drop them back to my sides. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left the way that I did. I can tell you're still upset with me."

"Don't be ridiculous," she scoffed. "That was twelve years ago." She said it as if time had wiped the slate clean, but the way her lips were pressed together suggested otherwise.

"So, does that mean I'm forgiven?" I gauged.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." She shrugged, looking away from me.

"It's nice to see you again," I offered. "You look amazing."

She swallowed, and the bones on her neck stood on edge. Her skin flushed, but with the tension, I couldn't tell whether she's angry at the compliment or blushing.

I breathed a laugh, scratching the back of my neck when she didn't say anything back. Spiders crawled down my spine as I shifted from foot to foot. I picked up finger food too, to keep myself busy. I had no idea what I'm piling onto the small plate.

"Not that you didn't look amazing before. You've always looked amazing. It's just that you look different. Hot." She flashed her eyes at me, and I shrugged. "I like it," I confessed, popping something in my mouth to shut myself up. It's cheesecake, and it calmed me down a little.

"Well, thanks, Eric. You know me. Always living my life to impress you," she said, and I'm taken back to the first day we met. She tipped her wine glass toward me. It's filled with orange juice, I noticed.

"Didn't feel for champagne?" I asked.

She paused on her sip before scoffing and licking her lips. "What do you want, Eric?"

Your actual forgiveness because the tension is still thick as hell. Another opportunity to kiss your lips again now that there's nothing standing in our way. For you to smile at me, the way you once did. I want you. "I'd settle for that dance?" I extended my hand.

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