Page 85 of Sweet Lies

His face twists into guilt as he steps forward. “Hello, Rebecca. It’s good to see you.”

I close my eyes, wondering what to say. I long to let all my rage loose at him. But it wasn’t his fault—or at least not all of it. He doesn’t deserve the brunt of it.

“I have to ask who you were more shocked to find alive?” I attempt a laugh to defuse the situation and can almost hear the collective release of tension.

“You or Claire,” he replies. “I had faith in your brother being returned from hell.”

We all laugh, knowing that would be the truest outcome.

“That would have been a fair bet.”

“It’s good to see you, Bec,” he says, and I can tell he wants to step closer, but he stays next to Claire.

“Have you talked to your brother?” Elijah asks, trying to change the subject.

“Yes. He’ll be at the church the same time as us.”

“Good. Let’s hope there’s no trouble.”

“Oh come on. You live for the action, E,” Alex says, wrapping his arm around Claire and pulling her close.

“He has you there.” Claire smiles, leaning into him.

Elijah’s phone rings, interrupting whatever she was going to say next.

“I need to take this,” he says grumpily before leaving the room.

Once he’s gone, we all stand and look at each other, unsure what to say. I move a strand of hair behind my ear. The awkwardness gives me flashbacks to who I was when I jumped at shadows.

* * *

ANDRE

“If you keep looking at her like that, people are going to think you’re the one getting married,” Alex says, sliding next to me.

“Looking at her is part of keeping her alive,” I point out. Elijah has given me Rebecca duty today. Anything goes wrong, I get her out. He said to make sure she didn’t find out about that order. She would thank none of us for the help.

“If that’s what you want to believe. But when this is over, I’m on to my next job.”

“We’ll see. Time is a funny thing. Things have a funny way of working out.”

“I didn’t take you for a fate guy,” I respond, getting irritated.

“I wasn’t till I walked into a room and saw a woman I thought long dead still alive—a woman who had taken my heart with her when she went. That has a way of changing your perspective,” he answers, stepping forward into the crowd and disappearing amidst the other guests dressed to the nines.

None of them held a candle to Rebecca. Alex was right; I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off of her.

* * *

REBECCA

I feel his eyes on me. It would be concerning if it didn’t make me so hot and bothered. I want him to slide behind me and touch me. Not in a let’s-have-some-fun-in-front-of-everyone kind of way, but a light touch here and there to make the longing even worse. I seem to enjoy torturing myself these days.

Nervously, I run my fingers down the right sleeve of my maroon dress. It sits just above my knee, gold lace at the bottom and at the sleeves. I had grown used to pants with work. Dresses and heels had little place in a gambling hall. My feet yelled in protest. I had been making deals with my heels for twenty minutes; if they would hold out and not blister, I would have a nice long bubble bath later.

“We should take our seats.” Andre’s hand settles on my lower back as if he’s sensed my need, and I find myself leaning back into his touch. His deep voice sends shivers down my spine, and I remind myself that once this is over, he’ll be leaving, and I’d be returning to my own life, away from this world.

Still, I let myself enjoy the simple pleasure. Something to think about in a cold bed—as I said, I seem to enjoy torturing myself.

---