Page 86 of The Outcast
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, making a guttural sound. “Urgh.”
“We’re in love.”
With a loud sigh, Aubri met my gaze. “Indy and I saw the signs, but we hoped it was a temporary fascination between you two that wouldn’t develop into anything.”
“It’s not. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you, but you were so adamant that you didn’t want us to fall in love, and the last thing I wanted was to lose my job at the academy.
She pulled one leg under her body and asked, “So you think the two of you could have a future together?”
I played with a pair of socks in my hands before pushing them into my bag. “If Belle and Mason could do it, why shouldn’t Banni and I be able to?”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm, what? Say what you’re thinking.”
Aubri picked up and smelled a scented candle that Linea had given me. Setting it down again, she said, “You’re my best friend, Sparrow. There’s nothing I want more than to see you happy. With Banni it’s hard to see how that would be possible.”
It hurt me that she didn’t seem excited for me. “He’ll stay here with me. We’ll marry and have a family. You like Banni, you told me so.”
Aubri’s tight blue shirt revealed her chest rising and falling in a heavy intake and output of air. “He’s very likeable, that’s not the problem. I’m just foreseeing all sorts of issues.” She paused and angled her head. “You realize that your life would be much easier if you picked a Northlander, don’t you?”
“Of course. But my parents were from different countries and their love didn’t come without sacrifices either. I didn’t choose to fall in love with Banni, just like you didn’t choose to fall in love with Indiana. But the way Banni makes me feel…” I smiled. “It’s like I knew him in a previous lifetime or something.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
“No.”
Aubri angled her head. “You can be honest with me.”
“We kissed and played around a little,” I told her and then my tone lowered. “I want to make love to him, but I’m worried.”
She reached out and took my hand again. “It doesn’t hurt that much and once you get going sex is addictive as hell.”
I shook my head. “You misunderstand. What I worry about isn’t the sex, but us being forced apart. Banni said that he would stay here and marry me, but he’ll need permission to do so from his government. We can’t afford a repeat of the political tension between our countries that Belle’s departure caused. You have no idea how bad things got there for a while.”
“I’ve heard.” Aubri scratched her knee. “You’re smart not to sleep with him until you know if you have a future together. Once I began sleeping with Indiana my destiny was sealed. That man is so damn sexy I feel like I can’t get enough of him.”
I squeezed her hand. “I’m so happy for you two. Indiana is your match. I don’t know why we didn’t see that before.”
She chuckled. “All those days and evenings you and I talked about our future husbands, huh? And then mine was right in front of our noses the whole time.”
“Remember that time I had a crush on Roger King?” I asked.
“How could I forget? It lasted years.”
“Yes, and still that crush pales in comparison to how I feel about Banni. He’s just…” My tone was full of awe as I searched for a word fine enough to describe his wit and personality.
“You don’t have to say it. Your expression says it for you.” Aubri stood up. “So, here’s what we’ll do. I’ll gather the delegation to enlist their help. They might be surprised, but I’m sure they will help you get your man.”
“Actually, Freya already guessed it and Banni told Thor.”
Aubri’s mouth opened and closed before she placed a hand on her hip. “Are you telling me that my cousins knew about this before I did? I’m yourbestfriend, Sparrow.”
“Yes, and my boss who told me a million times that you didn’t want me to take the job if I had feelings for Banni. I want to keep my job.”
Her hand fell to her side. “You still should have told me.”
“I’m telling you now.” Leaning toward her on the bed, I gave her an apologetic smile. “Please don’t be angry with me.”
