She sucked in a breath. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” I nodded, wishing it could still be that way. “But you didn’t trust me. And that makes me question everything. It makes me question us.”
She gripped my shirt, enveloping me with her scent. “What we have is real. You know it is. Please don’t discount that because I lied to my parents.”
I sensed her desperation, and I felt it too. Because it seemed that what we’d had the last few weeks was slipping through our fingers.
“But you didn’t just lie to your parents. You lied to me.” As much as it pained me to do it, I took her hands in mine, removing them from my chest. “I came here tonight because I love you.” She gasped, her entire body stilling. “Or at least, I loved the woman I thought you were. Now, I’m not even sure who you really are.”
Pain flashed in her eyes, mirroring my own. “Xander. Please. Don’t do this.”
I released her hands, backing away as I shook my head. “You need to figure out who you are and what you want. Until then, I can’t be with you.”
I turned and walked away, feeling like I was leaving my heart behind.
Chapter Twelve
“Kate? You in there?” Hunter called through the door to the women’s restroom.
Layers of tulle settled around me like a cloud, a stark contrast to the storm raging in my heart. Yet I stayed quiet, hoping he wouldn’t ask again. I couldn’t stop the sniffle that escaped, echoing loudly off the marble tile of the bathroom.
“Kate. Don’t make me come in there.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t you dare come in!” I called.
I half expected him to make another threat, but instead, he said, “Please.”
With a deep sigh, I stood and made a show of flushing the toilet, using the time to wipe my nose and dab at my eyes before leaving the stall. I didn’t doubt that Hunter would follow through on his threat, but it was his broken “please” that convinced me to comply.
I walked to the door, allowing him to usher me down a quiet hallway. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head, glancing toward the entrance to the ballroom. “What are Mom and Dad saying?”
“Not much. Mom’s smiling and pretending everything’s fine, but Dad looks like he might blow a gasket. Did you really drop out of UCLA to attend art school?”
I nodded, glancing up at him from beneath my lashes. Hunter had always been a supportive brother. And I was scared to see his reaction, scared to see if he thought I’d made a huge mistake.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. I applied and didn’t really expect to get in. And then I started taking classes, just to see if I liked them. After that, it all sort of spiraled out of control.”
“You think?” He stared at me, but I didn’t feel judged, despite the raised eyebrow. “God, Kate. You know I would’ve helped you, right?”
I nodded, though I didn’t say more. I could tell Hunter was hurt I hadn’t told him.
“What’s up with the professor?” he asked.
I leaned against the wall, feeling the strength go out of me. “I love him.” I only realized how true the words were once I’d spoken them.
He ran a hand through his hair, spinning and taking a few steps before turning back to me. “You love him?”
“Yes. I love him, Hunter. And he loves me. Or—” Tears filled my eyes once again, spilling over my lashes. “Or at least, he did.”
Hunter wrapped his arms around me, and I buried my head in his chest. He stood there, just holding me like he always did. Anytime I was sad, he’d always been the one to comfort me.
“Katherine Grace,” Mom hissed. Hunter released me, only for her to grab my arm and pull me farther into the shadows. She dabbed at the corner of my eyes with a tissue, then smiled brightly. “There. No more tears. Not in public anyway,” she added under her breath.
“Mom,” Hunter growled, but she waved away his concern.
