Page 78 of Tamed By You

The moment is broken by the sound of Tori’s voice echoing through the speakers, and we turn towards the stage where she stands at a podium, dressed in a stunning green dress with her hair curled in Hollywood waves, she looks beautiful.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’d like to thank you all for being here and for supporting this amazing cause. This charity and the organization that supports it are very dear to my heart for many reasons.

“I am proud to say both my father and brother have served with the United States Marine Corps and are here this evening to honor our veterans and remember our fallen.”

Every person in the room turns to focus on Harry and his dad and the crowd begins to applaud. It’s the first time I’ve seen Harry look almost nervous, out of his comfort zone, but I feel immensely proud to be sitting here next to him and acknowledging his military career. He doesn’t talk about it much and I understand why. I know they lost a friend, and it’s why they left and it’s why Ria’s brother has been so distant. Everyone deals with grief and trauma in their own way. I know that all too well.

The applause begins to fade, and Tori continues her speech. “Like many of you in this room, we know how it feels to lose a loved one in the line of duty and the Fallen Heroes charity was the lifeline I didn’t know I needed until it was the only one I had.”

I glance over at Harry, whose eyes are focused on the table’s centerpiece, shoulders tense and his jaw flexing. I get the sense he’s fighting back the emotions of losing Scotty. Not wanting to draw attention during his vulnerable moment, I do the only thing I know will bring him comfort.

I slide my hand in to his lap and link my pinky finger with his, giving it a squeeze. Eyes full of unshed tears meet mine, and my heart drops. I’ve never seen him look so lost, so sad. He may bethe joker, the good time guy, but underneath, Harry is one of the most incredible people I have ever known, and that realization scares me a little because seeing a more vulnerable side of Harry, has made me fall for him just a little more.

He reciprocates my pinky squeeze. I want to put my arms around him, hold him close, something I have never wanted to do for a man, but with him it's different. It’s always been different with him, and I think that’s why I’ve spent so long fighting my feelings. I knew from the moment I met him; I could fall for him.

“… So please be upstanding and raise your glasses to the men and women who bravely fought for us and who could no longer be with us. To our heroes.”

We all stand, Harry and I never breaking contact with our fingers and raise our glasses with our free hands. I welcome the cold fizz of the champagne as I swallow it down. The room erupts into applause once again, and we take our seats.

“I’m just going to check on Tori. I won’t be a second.” Harry excuses himself, pressing a kiss to my cheek and heads towards the stage area.

I turn to face Lydia and Grant. “Victoria’s speech was beautiful. You must be so proud,” I smile. Having spent the day with Lydia, I got to know her and can see how much her children mean to her. It’s just another reason why tomorrow will hurt even more. I really like her. She’s funny, and kind and has that way about her that makes you feel like you belong. She included me, wanting to spend time with me and that is not something I am used to.

She covers her hand with mine and gives it a squeeze, dabbing her eyes with her cloth napkin. “Oh, she’s always been one with words, has our Victoria. She’s been through so much, but she finds a way to get through it.”.

“Thank you for inviting me this evening, and for today, I’ve had such a lovely time.”

“Oh, it’s been my pleasure. I am just excited Harry has finally introduced us to a girlfriend. He’s never settled down long enough to introduce us to anyone.”

I interrupt her “Oh, we aren’t together, we’re just…”

She squeezes my hand a little firmer this time and gives me a knowing look, the kind of look a mother gives you when she knows you are lying through your teeth.

“Sweetie, please, I know my son and I know I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. I know he’s the party boy, the joker. Hell, I’m married to one. These Walker men know how to keep us on our toes and make us laugh.” She leans in a little closer and strokes my cheek with the back of her hand and tears prick at my eyes. It’s been so long since anyone other than Ria or Gabby and, come to think of it, Harry, has shown me any type of affection.

“But underneath, they are the most loving and loyal men you will ever know. There’s a softer, calmer side to them. It just takes a special kind of woman to bring it to the surface, and I think you might just be the one to tame my boy.”

I sniff, eyes full of unshed tears. What do I say that? I’d be lying if I said she was wrong, because the more time I spend with Harry, the more I see that side of him.

A firm hand touches my shoulder and I look up. His mom moves back in her seat, taking her glass of wine in her hand and I swipe a tear that’s escaped.

“Tori okay?” she asks Harry.

“Yeah, she just needs a minute.”

The band announces the dance floor is open and some old soul music begins to play. Harry holds out his hand, palm up. “May I have this dance, Miss Hart?” My eyes meet his and he winks, releasing a thousand butterflies in my stomach.

I place my hand in his and stand. “You may,” I say, giving him a soft smile.

I glance over to his mom, and she gives me that knowing look. Is she right? Am I the one for her son? I’ve never been anyone’s one, or anyone’s anything. I’ve only ever served a purpose and once that purpose was served, I was thrown out, discarded like a used napkin. I quickly learned I’d never be anything, and that way, I’d never let my heart get broken again. But this man, who’s pulled me close to him, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and moving me with him, has let me think about what it might be like to be his, and I think I want it. I don’t want this to end; I don’t know how I am supposed to return to New York tomorrow and act like the last ten days didn’t happen. That I’ll just see him when I see him, hook up if we can. No, I don’t know how I am meant to go back to what we were before London.

“Your sister’s speech was beautiful. Is she okay? She seemed upset.” His spine stiffens briefly, and worried I’ve overstepped, I go to speak again, change the subject, when he clears his throat and says, “She was with Scotty. They were dating. Flying home and telling her he died was the worst day of my life next to the day we lost him. Watching her break was…” His voice breaks on the last word, and I move in closer, tightening my hold of him, letting him know I’m here.

“Was awful, and the days that followed… I can’t help but feel I could have done something different, done something to save him, but it’s happened now. I can’t change it. She never blamed me, but it's why she moved to London. She had to get away from it all, but she’s doing good now. Scotty would be so proud.”

I lean away from his chest and look up to see him look over towards his sister, who’s talking with friends. Pride beams from his face, eyes slightly glazed. He turns to lock eyes with mine and in that very moment, nothing and no one else exists. I feel like I’ve learned more about Harry Walker in the last half hour thanin the years I’ve known him, and I only wish I had met this side of him sooner, because I see that he too is a little broken like me, and it makes me see him in a different light.

“It sounds like you did everything you could have done to save him. What happened. It’s not your fault.”

---