Page 144 of Temporary Vows

I imagine Susan must have dark hair. Dorian seems to like women with dark hair. Brunettes, mostly. Catherine was a brunette. So was Grace.

“I think the members would enjoy a poetry night,” Parker says lightly, resting his hands on the table.

I hardly remember what he’s talking about. I hope I don’t appear rude. He’s been nice to me. It’s not his fault I can’t think straight.

Dinner with him was possibly the worst idea I could’ve had today. But no worse than going to see Dorian.

I feel like I just made everything worse. Like my visit backfired on me. I thought I was taking the reins in my own hands, taking charge in my own way.

But now…

Susan happened again.

The stupid thing is, it was my own fault. Number one, I shouldn’t even have been there. Number two, I shouldn’t be upset.

It just hurt more because of him. Because of the stupid night we shared together—our wedding night.

“I could go with something more interactive.” Parker stares back at me, and again I feel bad. I think he might have said something before that, but I have no idea what it was. He looks like he’s waiting for me to answer, and I have no idea what to say.

I smile and nod, hoping it’s enough. “I can’t imagine a Jane Austen fan who doesn’t love poetry.”

Hopefully that answer will serve me and satisfy him for now. Right now, I know two things: Parker is planning this event for his society, and he wanted to talk about it. Saying anything off the top of my head with the wordsJane Austenin it can’t go too wrong.

I ran into him at the mall. Of all the places I could’ve seen him, I never thought it would be there. I was actually supposed to go back to school, but I was so worked up after leaving Dorian that I decided to go window-shopping instead. I needed something to get my mind off the stress.

It was while I was in a bookshop that I ran into Parker.

Or maybe he ran into me.

I’m not quite sure.

It just sort of happened.

One moment, I was looking at the new releases and considering picking up a new thriller to read. The next, I was staring face-to-face with Parker.

He noticed straight away that I wasn’t myself. I couldn’t hide it then any more than I can now.

Parker grins at me and gives me a sympathetic look. “You seem far away, Elodie. Perhaps I was wrong to drag you out to dinner.”

I straighten and shake my head. “Not at all. I’m just a little tired.”

And that’s probably why I shouldn’t have agreed to it.

Though he was very insistent. He said he’d feel bad leaving me in the store looking the way I did. I can only imagine what I must’ve looked like for him to say that.

I agreed, though reluctantly.

Had it been another day, I might have had more strength to say no.

Not so much today.

Thinking about Dorian and Susan made me weak, honestly.

I can’t wait to go home and sleep.

Home.

Once again, the place feels like Dorian’s, not mine.