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“At the time, I believed I could do as I liked. I could go train as an actor, I could live my life, I could love as I wished. I enjoyed being an ordinary man. But when I returned home that summer, my father told me that I was to be married.” Emrys spread his hands at Caitlyn’s expression of alarm. “She wasn’t too thrilled about the prospect either, believe me. Miranda had another man in her life at the time, but both of us were compelled by our parents to take our engagement seriously. They’d announced it before either of us had heard a word of it.”
“That’s awful. What, did you just arrive home to find yourself at an engagement party?” Caitlyn leaned forward curiously.
“Not quite so dramatic, but near to. I arrived to be told by my father what was to happen. And we went along with it for a time. Miranda and I both played our roles well enough.” Emrys sighed. “I was so deeply ashamed, my Caitlyn. How co
uld I keep trying to love you when I knew I had to marry soon? How could I ask you to tolerate my marrying another?”
Caitlyn touched his hand.
“I had a choice, of course. I could have told him no. I should have.” Emrys lifted her hand to his lips. “In the end, Miranda was the strong one in our relationship. She called it off and told them that marrying me would be like marrying her cousin, and she wouldn’t do it.”
Caitlyn’s brow furrowed. She looked so terribly conflicted. Emrys needed to turn that conflict in his favor.
“After that, I couldn’t bring myself to ask your forgiveness. We hadn’t spoken for nearly two years.”
“The joke’s on you, I guess,” Caitlyn managed in a thick voice. “I would have taken you back, even then.”
“And now?”
“I…I don’t know. I’ve spent so much time putting myself back together.” Caitlyn pulled back her hand, but Emrys held her fast. “What do I do? I can’t survive it again, Emrys. What happens if I forgive you, only to have another set of ‘matters’ come up?”
Emrys stroked her hand with his fingers. “I’ll have to work my hardest to earn back your trust.”
“How can you?” Caitlyn shook her head. “You’re an actor. And not a terrible one, in spite of the movie I just saw.”
Emrys laughed. “I’ll have to show you my deleted scenes. There was a whole plot cut from this one.”
“Well. Gotta make room for that drag race in the middle that made no narrative sense.”
“This is true.” Emrys topped off his champagne glass. “You must understand my position. I’m comfortable with what I earn as an actor, but my trust fund doesn’t mature for years yet. My father has seen to that.”
“He’s still annoyed with you for not marrying that Miranda,” Caitlyn guessed.
“Very. I’m allowed home, of course, but I’m quite independent. This is the cost.”
Caitlyn bowed her head slightly, then took a sip of the champagne. She seemed to be pondering his words deeply when their solitude was intruded upon by her friends appearing by their table.
“Hey! Look who’s a fan now!” said one, squeezing Caitlyn’s shoulders.
Caitlyn sneered back at her friend.
Emrys smiled and rose to speak to them. He turned on every bit of charm he had as he gave them a bow and answered their questions about the movie. One of them was so astonished that he didn’t actually have an American accent that she seemed to nearly fall over (though it may have been due to the champagne).
Amidst the flurry of giggles and friendly banter about Cait’s heel-turn regarding her feelings on his acting, her feelings did seem to be growing softer, and she smiled more, bit by bit.
***
“Come out with me,” Emrys urged Caitlyn, and she felt her breath hitch inside of her. “It’s my last night in town.”
The result was inevitable, Caitlyn supposed. She’d needed and wanted to reconnect with him for so long that she simply had to try, even if she hadn’t yet forgiven him. Caitlyn found herself giving Melinda a hug goodbye before following Emrys out of the party and to his car. It was an ice blue BMW, and she couldn’t help but run her fingers along the spotless hood.
“I can’t believe you have this.” Caitlyn shook her head and looked over to Emrys, taking in his crisp suit. “I can’t believe you’re wearing that.”
Emrys trailed his fingers down the front of his jacket. “Oh?”
“You never wore suits before,” Caitlyn pointed out. “You hardly ever wore pants without holes in them. I never thought I’d see you so dressed up.”
Emrys clicked his tongue. “My manager would have my head if I came to promotional events in ripped up jeans and a vintage vest. I’m a bit old to be dressing like I’m homeless, don’t you think?”
