Page 130 of Empty Net

“Mother, Father,” she says, “I’m not engaged.”

“What?” her mother hisses. How is itthatgot her attention out of everything that’s been said today? “Of course you are. You’re engaged to this…this…hockey player.”

My mother makes a move toward Selene, but my father grabs her, holding the small woman back. I’d laugh at it if this were happening at any other time.

“No, I’m not.” Lilah pulls off the tacky ring she’s been wearing, tossing it onto the table with a loudthunk. “I never have been, and Fox isn’t my boyfriend. This whole thing was fake. Completely staged.”

“What?!” Her mother begins to cry. “I don’t understand this, Lilah.”

“What part? That this is fake? That I lied and said I had a boyfriend, and this incredible man over here stepped in to play the part because he’sgood? Because he is. He’s kind and loving and everything you’re not.”

“Why?” her mother manages between her fake sobs.

“Why? Because I was too damn scared to stand up to you and tell you to butt out of my life! Because I was so damn worried I was going to become the thing I feared the most—you. Bitter and old and alone. Because, while you might be married and appearhappy and in love in front of everyone else, I know the truth: you’re just as miserable as you like making everyone else.”

“That’s it!” her father shouts, tossing his napkin on the table and shoving to his feet.

I’ve never moved faster in my life, crossing the restaurant and putting myself right between Lilah and her father. He scowls up at me, Lilah’s heat at my back, but I don’t budge. This guy thinks I’m afraid of him? No. Fuck this guy.

“Deacon, I’d like you to back up now.”

“That ismydaughter, son.”

“Yeah? And she’s the woman I love. So I’m going to say it again—back up. Before I make you back up,sir.”

His nostrils flare, but he must realize I am not joking, and he wisely takes a step back.

I turn to Lilah, my hands going to her cheeks. “Are you okay?”

She nods. “I’m all right.”

“Good.” I turn back to her parents. “We’re leaving, and you will not follow us nor contact her. You won’t bother Lilah at all untilshe’sready to speak to you,ifthat even happens. Are we understood?”

Deacon opens his mouth, ready to argue, but thinks better of it. He snaps it closed, then nods once. I don’t even give a shit what Selene thinks. I simply place my hand on Lilah’s lower back and usher her from the scene. Not until we’re all outside do I finally take a breath.

“Holy shit,” I say, running my hands through my hair. “Holy shit.”

Lilah nods, gulping in breaths of air herself. “I agree. That was…”

“Yeah.”

I don’t know who moves for the other first, but suddenly, Lilah’s in my arms and our mouths are moving against oneanother. We’re kissing like I’m some soldier who’s just come home from war, which is fitting because it certainly feels like I just went through a battle.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know my parents are standing nearby, but I can’t seem to find it in me to care. I can’t stop kissing her, mostly because I’m scared if I do, she’ll leave, and I really, really don’t want her to leave.

Lilah’s the first to break the kiss, her once frantic movements slowing to a more normal pace until our lips are barely ghosting against each other.

“Lilah, I?—”

“I love you.”

I jerk back, looking down at her.

Did she just…

“What did you say?”

“I said, I love you. But what I really meant was: I am in love with you, Arthur Fox, and I refuse to apologize for it.”

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