Page 14 of Tempted

I don’t want to let it slip about anything, including the picture that she sent, so I just shake my head no.

“And you don’t think that she’ll think that’s weird? You just showing up?”

“Nah.” I wave nonchalantly.

“And...why do you want to be there, anyway?”

I give him a look. “Because it’s the right thing to do. Moira and Steph have both been through a trauma. And regardless of what happens between me and Steph, she’s still my friend. I’d be pissed if my friend didn’t show up to my granny’s funeral.”

It’s hard to tell if he buys it or not, and at this point, I don’t really care. He’s not fighting me on going, he’s not refuting, so I just leave it at that.

My eyes are first on Rory as we arrive inside the funeral home. First and foremost is our safety, and the girls’ safety, never mind our feelings for each other. And I know that Uncle Dougall would call us both fools if we didn’t get a feel for things prior to just walking in unannounced. Well, I’m unannounced, that is. The place is packed with the elderly, which is expected, considering that this is a funeral for Steph and Moira’s granny. Many are in wheelchairs, some with walkers, but still, some are mobile.

I see Steph over talking to some woman that looks like she belongs on an episode of The Real Housewives, while Moira is on the other side of the room, speaking with what looks like the funeral director. The casket is closed, thank God, and it lies on a stand, at the front center of the room, covered in a spray of white roses. I get a chill up my spine. I always hated that type of flower, for they always remind me of funerals. A large photograph of Leery sits on an easel next to the casket, and it’s a younger version of her, clearly a wedding photograph, as she’s in a white gown, and the photo is black and white.

“One thing we can feel confident in is that there’s no way Callum is here.” Declan says under his breath.

“Aye. Unless he’s disguised as a senior citizen.” I agree, noting that we are the only men in this room. There are literally no other males in our company.

“I thought that ol’ Leery would be popular with the lads.” Declan teases.

“Gross.” I wince. “Let’s go pay our respects so we can duck out right after the funeral. These places give me the creeps.”

“What...do you think that I want to break out into dance here?” He hisses. And that’s when Moira comes out and sees him. As she comes his way, Steph catches sight of her cousin, and suddenly I’ve been discovered. She excuses herself from the lady that looks like she’s got a plastic face and comes over to join us.

“Hey.” Steph almost whispers to me. “What are you doing here?” Her face is unreadable. I’m not sure if she expected me to come, or if she’s reading something entirely different into this.

“Well, I thought...I thought that I would come and pay my respects.”

Steph swallows. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Aye, but I wouldn’t have felt right if I didn’t.”

Her gaze is over by who I’m guessing is her mama, since there is a striking resemblance. “So, this was to save your soul, was it.”

“Not exactly. Maybe to save yours.” I challenge.

Her glance is icy. “I don’t need saving.”

Moira and Declan are conversing privately, and then I watch Moira take him over to meet the plastic-faced lass. I ignore her comment. “Is that Moira’s mama?”

“Aye. And that’s mine over there, so I’ll thank you for keeping your comments to yourself.”

“I hadn’t planned on making any others.”

“Good.” She hisses.

“Was it a mistake coming here, Steph? Do you want me to leave?” Just as I ask that, her mama approaches. Steph looks like she would rather be any place else but here.

“Don’t say a word.” She growls through gritted teeth.

“Give me a little credit, lass.” I mutter under my breath.

The woman, that strikes a resemblance to Steph, has red-rimmed eyes and is carrying a small handkerchief in her hand. She manages a weak smile and holds out her hand for me to shake. “I’m Cindy, Stephanie’s mama. Thank you for coming.”

“Mama, this is Malcolm Harris.” Steph says, pasting on a kind smile, I’ll assume that it’s for her mama’s benefit, not mine.

“Oh, are you Declan’s brother?” Cindy asks.

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