Page 101 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

Thirty

Thorn

Her expression is unreadable, but at least she stops moving away from me.

Of course, she’s still five feet away and the distance may as well be the Grand Canyon…but progress.

Now if I can just stop being an idiot and actually talk to her.

The temperature seems to drop and she shivers, that pointless coat of her doing nothing to protect her.

I shrug out of my suit jacket, cross over to her, settling it on her shoulders.

She holds it closed instead of dumping it on the floor, so at least that’s something.

“Will you…” I swallow. “Will you walk with me?”

Her head tilts to the side, those eyes studying mine.

I wait for her answer, music drifting through the air, laughter and cheers lingering on its heels. The wedding reception continuing on exactly as it should.

And I’m holding my breath, hoping the woman I love will take one more chance on me.

She nods and I exhale, the relief making my knees shake.

Heart pounding, I offer my hand.

She looks at it, at me. Then slips her fingers into mine.

More relief.

More fear.

“Walking helps I’ve found,” she says, tugging me toward the steps.

We move down the stairs, slip out into the courtyard, the hedge maze in the distance, the pond just in front of us. Lights hang from the trees, the wind rustles their leaves, and the soft lap of the water attempts to provide a soothing melody.

But there’s no soothing this.

I take a breath.

Then another.

Her fingers tighten on mine. “It doesn’t have to be tonight.”

Fuck, I love this woman.

Which means I’m able to admit, “I’m tired of it eating me inside out.”

She shifts closer, nods, murmurs, “Okay, honey.” And then…she waits.

The first part is harder than I expected.

No, that’s a lie. I knew this was going to be fucking terrible and it’s exactly what I expected.

Because I remember it all.

Every second. Every action. Every fucking thing.