Page 21 of More Than A Feeling

"Let's step out, yeah?" I suggested.

I had no choice but to lead them away because I didn't want to disturb the poetry slam. People came once a month to share their art, and I wanted this to be a safe space.

We sat at one of the outdoor tables, and because the universe hated me, Callum and Sabine joined us.

"Fleur," Callum greeted me politely, and I did the same.

Sabine ignored me. I didn't respond in kind. "Happy Thanksgiving, Sabine." It was a day to be thankful, and even though I had a shitty sister, I was grateful she existed because it helped me learn quickly how harsh the world could be and how I needed to be strong to survive.

"Poetry, Fleur?" There was a subtle sneer in her polished voice.

This was what fooled people. She was so superbly sophisticated that even the vilest things she said came out sounding mellifluous.

"Yeah," I chirped. I was proud of what we did here, and no one was going to make me feel bad about it.

"I think it's fantastic," Rose chimed. "Do you write poetry?"

"Oh no! I'm a poetry lover."

Callum smiled then. "Fleur introduced me to Pablo Neruda and the Romantics."

"You're reading Byron, Call?" Sabine was amused. "I'd pay good money to see that."

"Can do it for free. Though this is Shelley." Callum murmured, looking at me with soft eyes.

"And the sunlight clasps the earth,

And the moonbeams kiss the sea—

What are all these kissings worth,

If thou kiss not me?"

My breath hitched. Did it mean something that he'd decided to recite Percy Bysshe Shelley'sLove's Philosophy, famous for expressing the yearning and sadness of love lost?

Don't go there. Sabine is kissing him on his lips, and he's letting her. You lost to her again. Just accept defeat and move on. Like Auden said, "You can't make someone love you if they don't."

Sabine laughed, and she looked beautiful, happy, and just the kind of woman I could imagine Callum with. Two beautiful people together—not a nerd in sight.

"I think we need you to start reading to me in bed, darling," Sabine flirted.

Callum looked perplexed for a moment and then shrugged. "Sure."

She flushed. I watched them unabashedly. It was important to not look away, to smile, to let the one you love go because wasn't there a poem about that, too?

"What are your plans for Christmas, Fleur?" Rose broke the moment.

"I'm going to spend it with friends," I explained.

"But your family is here," James scowled. "How can you not spend the holidays at home?"

"Fleur is like that," Sabine said in her oh-so-sweet voice. "She was invited for Thanksgiving but decided to not come."

"Well, that’s understandable, isn’t it?" my mother interjected. "She and Callum apparently just broke up, and now he’s dating you."

"Yes, he is." Sabine snuggled into Callum.

I smiled easily now. He looked happy with her. He'd told me that he wanted to have no conflict and just ease in a relationship. He seemed to have that with Sabine. She'd mold herself to meet his needs. She'd done that with Seamus until she hadn't. But maybe she'd learned her lesson and would be different with Callum. I hoped so. I didn't think I could stand it if he got hurt.

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