My hold over him? He pursued me. Is she insinuating that I tricked him into loving me? Like some kind of sorceress who bewitched him? I open my mouth to respond, but she holds up her hand to stop me.
“However, all I want is for my son to be happy. So if you are the answer to that, as he has so adamantly expressed, then I will accept this relationship. So long as Everett stays on the path that is destined for him. He will go to the college of our choosing, obtain either a doctorate or law degree, and he will come back to Aurora to be close to his family. Do you understand?”
Come back to Aurora? I can’t have a future with Ev if he is coming back here. I can't. He never told me that he was planning on coming back. Was he too scared, knowing that I never would? Was he planning to make me fall desperately in love with him, live with him, marry him, and then drag me back here when I was too invested to leave him?
“Leora, did you hear what I just said?”
“Yes, yes, I’m… I… Sorry. I just… That was a lot to process. I have no intentions of holding Ev—Everett back from his dreams and goals. I promise, Mrs. Rowan. I only want what's best for him.”
“Well, if that were true, you wouldn’t even be here, but that is neither here nor there since you have already bewitched my sweet Everett.”
I swallow hard. How do I even respond? She hates me.
Run. Run. Run.I need to get out of here.
“Excuse me while I use the restroom.”
“Down the hall, third door on the left.” She watches me like a hawk as I exit. Do I curtsy…or bow? I don’t know if there is a proper way to exit. Does it matter? I have a feeling I could be the image of perfection and I still wouldn’t be good enough. My last name isn’t Baldwin, so in her eyes, I’ll never measure up.
Now that I’m out of that room filled with impossible expectations, I realize I really do have to pee. Jesus, I just peed before we left the shop. Must be the nerves.
I’m in the little powder room when a knock sounds on the door. “Leo? You in there?”
I open the door, and instead of allowing me to come out, Ev steps in and shuts the door, locking it.
“What are you doing?” I whisper shout.
“I needed to know you were okay, and I know you wouldn’t be honest in front of my parents.”
He’s got me there.
“You didn’t tell me you agreed to marry Natasha and that you plan on coming back to Aurora after college.” I can’t meet his eyes. My insecurities are coming to the surface, and I can’t bear to let him see them in my eyes.
“I did agree to marry Natasha after we graduated college, but that was before I fell in love with you. When I agreed to it, I thought I really did love her, but now that I know what true love is, I realize Natasha was just comfortable. Our parents have been partners since before we were born. She was always around, but she isn’t you. And I didn’t tell you about coming back because I’m not. I was going to do what they wanted of me, but after being with you, your bravery has inspired me. I’m going down my own path, with you.”
I look at him now, really look at him, and only see honesty in his eyes. Those perfectly crystal green eyes.
“Okay.” I let out a sigh. Feeling much more at ease. I wanted to run. But he caught me. Like he said he would.
“Okay?”
“Yeah. Okay.”
“I’m sorry that my mom told you all that. She promised she wouldn’t, but sometimes she can’t help herself. She just wants what's best for me, and she is having a hard time letting the image she had of my future go. Butyouare what's best for me. You are my happiness.”
I give him a quick kiss, and his goofy smile is back.
“You ready to go back out there before they think I’m fucking you in the powder room?”
I laugh. “You are ridiculous. Oh my god, do you think they really think that?” I cover my mouth and my eyes widen.
He chuckles like all this is funny. "No, pretty bird. I don't. But it was funny to see you freak out for a minute.” He kisses my neck, right where my newest scar is, and I slap his shoulder.
"You are such an ass."
He interlinks our fingers and pulls me out of the bathroom. I have to focus on where his hand is laced with my own, keeping me grounded. His touch is a balm to my nerves. I know with him, nothing can harm me. I won’t let their judgment and words feed my demons.
We sit at the table across from his parents, and it feels like I’m in an interrogation room.
