Page 6 of Knot Really Engaged
“I guess that has to work,” Ethan says on the other end just as I reach my gate. It’s perfect timing, and a wave ofrelief washes over me.
“I’m glad we finally came to an agreement. I’ll start working on the—” My victory lap cuts short, the words dying on my lips. Because there, among the throng of weary passengers, stands Audrey McCallister.
“Whoa.” The word slips out, a silent whistle of appreciation. Little Audrey is not so little anymore. She’s all curves and confidence, wrapped up in a smart-looking blazer that says she means business. Her hair is a soft cascade of curls settling elegantly on her shoulders. My heart skips a beat, and I feel a rush of warmth spreading through my chest.
For a second, I’m frozen, struck by this blast from the past who’s now very much present—and fuck, how the years have been kind to her. The lively kid I remember, always tagging along with us during weekends and summer breaks, has bloomed. And here she is, unaware of the smile creeping across my face. I can’t help but stare, my eyes drinking in every detail of her transformed appearance.
Audrey is stunning, and I mean throw-me-for-a-loop stunning. And I think, isn’t life funny? You blink, and the tomboy next door turns into someone who could grace billboards. My mind races, wondering what she’s doing here and if she’ll even recognize me after all these years.
“What’s going on?” Ethan asks, his voice snapping me back to reality.
“Nothing, I think I just saw Audrey, Max’s sister,” I say casually, hoping my voice doesn’t betray the nervous energy that’s taken hold of me.
He grumbles something I can’t make out and then says, “Well, if that’s all, I’ll leave you to it. Lily needs my attention. We’ll see you this weekend for the McCallisters’ anniversary.”
I groan something between “good luck” and “call me when it’s over.” Listen, I’m happy that my friend found someone to love, but is she really the love of his life? I doubt it. That doesn’t exist. Look at my parents. They lived unhappily ever after for years, and after so much bitterness they divorced. Mom kept the house, Dad the business and their son—me—ran out of Boston as soon as he could before they tried to fight for him too.
I still wonder why they didn’t separate as soon as they realized it was over. Love is not a permanent feeling. It’s like astatine, the most volatile element on the periodic table. Always changing and never settling.
There’s no such thing as soulmates, and anyone who believes in that fairy tale is setting themselves up for disappointment. Love is a fleeting emotion, a temporary high that inevitably fades away, leavingnothing but the bitter aftertaste of broken promises and shattered dreams.
For a moment, I wonder if I should greet Audrey. It’s not like we’re friends or anything. Sure, Max has asked me to check up on her a few times, but I haven’t had a moment of peace to do so, and she’s old enough to take care of herself, right?
But honestly, if I had known she was this fucking beautiful, I would’ve checked her out—I mean checked on her—the moment she moved to San Diego.
I feel a twinge of guilt as I take in her appearance. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and her shoulders are slumped as if the weight of the world rests upon them. She looks like she could use a friend, someone to lean on during whatever . . . What the fuck happened to her?
I should check on her and make sure she didn’t lose something or got mugged. Is that something that can happen in the airport?
Probably not, but I’m ready to come to her rescue and . . . “Stop. Max is gonna flip if he hears that you want to fuck his sister,” I mutter under my breath, shaking my head. “He would kill you. This is little Audrey, not some woman you can play around with.”
Despite my better judgment, I can’t help but be drawn to her. My heart races as I step closer, mypalms sweating as I try to come up with something to say.
“Hey, Little McCallister.” The words leap out of me before I can think twice.
She whips around, her brows knitting together in a moment of confusion before recognition dawns. A smile breaks through the fatigue and tears etched on her face, and for a moment, the sadness in her eyes is replaced by a flicker of warmth.
“Liam,” Audrey smiles back as I pull her into a warm hug. Her body feels soft and vulnerable in my arms, and I can’t help but notice how perfectly she fits against me. “Are you going to Boston too?”
“Like I would miss your parents’ anniversary. I think they and my mother would disown me,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood. “Small world, running into you here.”
She rolls her eyes, a gesture I remember from when we were younger. Back then, I always saw her as Max’s little sister, but now, I can’t ignore the way my heart races at the sight of her. “Not really. We both live in San Diego, and we have to be in Boston for the weekend,” she reminds me, her tone a little more blunt than I expected.
“Sure, but you could’ve flown earlier or tomorrow.”
“Well, this is the flight that was more convenient for Ben.” She shrugs, trying to appearnonchalant, but I can sense there’s more to the story.
“Who is Ben?” I ask, my brow furrowing in confusion.
She lets out a humorless laugh. “The asshole I was dating up until about twenty minutes ago?”
I flinch, remembering the conversation I had with Max about some guy Audrey was seeing. “Yeah, I remember Max mentioning some asshole you were dating. He wanted me to get the 4-1-1 but I haven’t had time.” I shrug, trying to play it off. “Oh well. I’m glad it’s over.”
But then, I frown, my gaze searching her face. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and her cheeks are slightly puffy. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. “Have you been crying?” I pause. “If that asshole hurt you, I’ll make him pay.”
She quickly looks away, but not before I catch the glimmer of tears in her eyes. My heart clenches at the sight, and a sudden urge to protect her washes over me. I want to find this Ben guy and make him pay for hurting her, but I know that’s not my place.
She tells me all about her asshole ex-boyfriend. I’m shocked and displeased that someone would waste her time like that. Audrey’s always been a bit of a romantic and any guy worth theirsalt should know not to mess with her. I guess that’s the problem with some guys out there. They’ve got no spines or morals to lean on.
