Page 134 of Hale Yes
In answer, Helix hauls my body against his and wraps his arms around my waist as the band begins playing “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars. I loop my arms around his neck and rest my cheek against the lapel of his jet-black suit, letting the beautiful melody guide our sway.
He tilts his head down until his nose is buried in the top of my hair, and then he kisses me there. “I wouldn’t do this for anyone else,” he informs me, keeping one hand on the small of my back, left bare by the deep V of my magenta dress. The other slides up my spine until he’s cupping the side of my head, his thumb stroking slowly against my cheek.
I feel completely possessed by him, and I close my eyes as the sweet lyrics play. We don’t move our feet at all, but I don’t care. Being held like this heals a part of me.
As soon as the song ends, I go up on my tiptoes and reward him with a soft kiss to his lips. “Thank you.”
His handsome face breaks into a smile. “Completely worth it for that kiss. What do I have to do to get a little tongue action next time?”
“The Cha Cha,” I challenge flatly, and he shudders, making me laugh. “Let’s go sit. I think I’ve tortured you enough for one night.”
Helix grabs us a couple drinks, and we find an empty table in a quiet corner. “What was your sister yelling at Rory about earlier?” he asks.
“Apparently,” I say, lowering my voice, “Angelica insisted the ice sculptures be delivered and placed by noon, even though the service was a good four hours later. She was devastated that they were already half melted by the time the reception started.”
“And how exactly is that Rory’s fault?” Helix asks, taking a drink of his drink and wincing at the taste.
“It’s not. He was trying to explain to her that ice sculptures were made of, you know,ice,whichmelts.And that it was her own fault for insisting they arrive so far ahead of the actual wedding.”
Helix blows out a breath through pursed lips. “Bet that went over well.” He leans close. “How long do you give this marriage? I say they’ll either be divorced or one of them will be in jail within six months.”
I glance over at my sister, who’s pouting and glaring at her new husband, who seems to be well on his way to complete drunkenness. “To be honest, I’m not sure they’re going to make it to the honeymoon.”
“Serves her right. Seems like all she’s done is complain the entire day.”
It makes me a little sad, not because I wish my sister well. I couldn’t care less about her happiness. I’m disappointed because my father obviously paid a small fortune for this party to celebrate a marriage that already seems to be on the rocks.
I take a sip of my pink drink and practically gag on the sweetness. “What the fuck is this?” I croak, holding up the glass and staring at it.
“Ah, that, my dear, is the signature cocktail of the wedding. It’s called the Clutterbuck Love Fizz. The bartender told me all the ingredients were specifically chosen by the charming new Mrs. Clutterbuck herself. I think he’s purposely pointing that out to everyone so no one thinks he came up with it.”
“Don’t blame the poor guy. It tastes like syrup.”
Helix pushes his away. “I’ll go get us a beer… unless you’d prefer wine.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Pushing your luck, Hale.”
He laughs and heads back to the bar, returning a few minutes later with two IPAs, which we both eagerly glug to get rid of the sugary taste of the Clutterbuck Love Fizz.
“Can I ask you a question about what you told me last night?” I ask, once half of my beer is gone.
He nods. “Of course.”
“What happened to Kayla, if it’s not too uncomfortable for you to talk about?”
“She was sentenced to three years in a mental health institution.”
“Three years? But it’s been five. Is she out?” Panic wells up in my chest at the thought of that woman roaming free.
“She’s not out. She found out I was paying for her stay at a private facility and decided that meant I loved her. The institution carefully monitors all outgoing mail, but she somehow found a way to start sending me letters.”
“Oh my god!” I gasp.
“Yeah, that violation added a few more years to her sentence. Kayla’s mom is actually a really nice lady, and she keeps me up to date with what’s going on. We talk about once a year after court evaluations are done. She said Kayla refuses to take theprescribed medications, so as long as she’s being uncooperative, it’s highly unlikely they’ll release her. She also refuses to acknowledge what she did was wrong, so that doesn’t help her case.”
I don’t say it aloud, but I hope they never let her out.
Helix changes the subject. “Would you come upstairs with me when this is over?”
