Page 2 of Destined Lovers

“Just because you grew up and got rid of the braids doesn’t mean you won’t always be my Pippi Longstocking.” He leans down and kisses my forehead while pulling the ends of my hair.

“I’m just messing with you, Nora. Thingsaredifferent this time, but we’ll make it work. I’ve never broken a promise to you and I don’t plan on it now. We’ll talk every day, and the second you graduate from high school, as they call it in America, you’ll be on a plane back to me. We will move to London, or whatever city I sign with, while you go to art school. That’s when Declan and Nora’s life together will officially start. This is just the prelude, and it hasn’t been so bad. Has it, Pip?”

“No, it hasn’t,” I mumble.

He puts both hands on my cheek and tries to lift my head. “Nora, look at me.”

He repeats himself one more time, and I give in and get lost in his dark eyes that blaze with determination to make this work, his confidence being the only thing keeping me together.

“Two years, babe. We can do this. Then we’ll have the rest of our lives together.”

I nod.

“Tell me what I want to hear, Pip.”

I take a deep breath, then speak the words he’s waiting for. “From the land and sea to the stars in the sky…”

“There will only ever be you and I,” he finishes and leans in close to press his lips to mine.

“I love you, Hanora Riley King.”

“I love you, Declan Patrick Buckley,” I respond when he presses his lips to mine again.

One last time.

Declan

Isit possible to feel so full of life but at the very same time feel completely numb inside?

I wonder.Because lately, that’s exactly how I would explain what’s going on with me. One minute I’m full of happiness, embracing the life I’ve built, and then the next—without warning—I’m lost in my head, tortured by unanswered questions and feelings of loneliness.

I should be happier.

I have the best sister in the world, not to mention my friends who are like family, and it doesn’t hurt being part of a successful business to keep me busy.

But none of that matters, nothing will ever replace her, or the hurt and confusion she’s caused…

And as the years go on, alone in my head, the gaping void pulls me deeper inside myself, soon I’m not sure how I’ll ever escape.

Considering a ten-year-old void is pretty hard to fill.

Unless I find what I’m looking for in life, those answers could save my sanity.

Looking around the room, I chastise myself for having these thoughtsright nowof all times.

It’s the week before Christmas, and I’m at my parents’ estate in Northern Ireland for a gala held byMaeve’s Foundationin honor of my sister to raise money for people less advantaged with Cerebral Palsy.

Maeve was diagnosed shortly after she was born, and fortunately for her, my parents have always had the means to take care of her medical needs with no financial hardship. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are just a few services Maeve receives on a weekly basis.

Since we know many Irish families that need financial assistance, we host this event yearly to support them the best we can.

Typically the gala is something I look forward to for months, but something, on top of my awful thoughts, is off with me tonight and I can’t put my finger on it.

You would think it’s because of my parents, who care more about social standings than the actual event, and since that’s nothing new, it can’t be that.

I glance around the room and know it has nothing to do with my friends. I’m fortunate to have the best group of friends out there. It’s not just my regular crew either. Tonight the lads from uni, former rugby teammates, and coworkers all came to Ireland to support Maeve, and I couldn’t be more thankful.

I watch as my best girlfriends huddle around, dancing and singing happy birthday to Annabelle, one of the girls in the group I call family. The girls continue singing loudly, not caring that they’re making a scene as the guys stand off to the side, smiling and laughing at their antics.

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