Page 21 of Easy Reunion
“Probably not until after this next book is sent off,” I think aloud.
“That makes sense. And you have to balance this with that part of your life.”
“True. But I’m blessed, Angel. With my health, with you, Darin, Lucy.” I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have my words read by people who relate to my stories. And, yet, I feel like there’s a barrier between me and the world.”
“Well,” she hedges, but I pick up on it immediately.
“Well, what?”
“I don’t know if that’s you, the author, holding yourself back, sweets, or you, the woman.” Before I can speak, she holds up her hand. “They’re not the same. You were devastated by what happened to you. How much have you allowed yourself to heal?”
“I thought more and more with each book. But seeing those people again this weekend…” My voice trails off as my fist clenches on the table. “I could have walked in there and held my head up. Instead, I walked away.”
“Well, as your best friend, I can tell you all the reasons why or let you figure them out.”
Leaning back, I gesture for her to continue.
Angel leans back as well. “Part of you decided they weren’t worth it. You looked the worst of them in the face, and you decided letting go was a better decision than holding on to that anger. And you’re not the type to jump into the fray to confront someone.”
I swirl my cup. “Is that why you encouraged me to go? To get past all of that.”
“I’d have been happy if you slapped each one of those assholes across the face for everything they did to make your life a living hell, but no. I just wanted you to see they don’t have the power to hurt you. Did you?” she retorts.
I laugh, releasing even more tension. “Maybe? I guess time will tell. But I will say it’s yet another reason I love you.”
“Because I’m the angel on your shoulder telling you to fight?”
“No, because you’re the angel at my back. Always. But, back to what I was saying, it’s not solely because of the reunion I’m having these thoughts. Even in Collyer, I kept thinking I should do more. I mean, I participated in local events that Ava or her coffee shop sponsored, but I truly believe it’s time I did something more substantial about the issues I’m passionate about. Besides—” I shake my head ruefully. “—it might keep me away from the shoes.”
“Darlin’, ain’t nothin’ gonna keep you out of that store,” Angel drawls. We both laugh because it’s true.
“I don’t want to turn into one of them.” I straighten in my chair. Angel does as well—well, as much as her pregnant body will allow. “I want to keep the magic alive inside my books that every day can be a miracle, where castles can be built, and if you close your eyes, Prince Charming will pop up out of thin air.”
A shadow passes over our table. “I’m glad to hear you think that, Kelsey,” a dark, somber voice says from beside me. Twisting, I gasp when I find myself staring into Rierson Perrault’s bright blue eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper. I can hear Angel’s sharp inhale of breath. After all, it’s not just practically unheard of for a man to call me by my given name. It just never happens.
The real question is, how did he figure it out?
“I’ve lived here for quite a while. The real question is, what are you doing here?”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” I whisper.
A bleak expression crosses his face before it goes carefully neutral. “Then, you now understand how I felt when I woke up in Savannah, realizing who you were.”
And just that quickly, I want to throw up the tiny piece of delicious beignet I’d just swallowed. After all, why am I surprised? It’s why I never gave him my real name to begin with.
I’ll never be able to shed the image I’ve carried around with me. I’ll always be overshadowed by the past, unable to shed the weight of it. I’ll never be free from the heartache I ran from fifteen years ago. I’m about to speak when out of nowhere, the brunette from the line slides up next to Ry. She lays her hand comfortably on his arm. “Hey, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You’re going to be late. Here’s your usual.” She hands him a white paper bag and a paper cup. “Have a good day. I’ll see you at home later.”
Oh, my God. He’s living with someone, maybe even married. What did I do? Shoving away from the table, I grab my purse. “I’ve…” Wildly, I look around.
Like always, Angel reads me. “Go. I’ll meet you by the car.”
I take off without another word, knowing Angel will quickly extract herself, and we’ll soon be on our way. Then, I can be back behind my computer where nothing can penetrate the barrier I put up between my heart and the world.
