Page 45 of Yours to Keep

“You’re absolutely glaring.”

I opened my mouth to argue when I noticed Father Donnelly standing at the edge of the pew, his hands folded calmly but his smile tight. The tension in my muscles coiled to the breaking point.

“Sullivan,” he said quietly. “May I have a quick word?”

I stood, thankful that there was enough space that I could move closer to him without brushing past a dozen people first. Father Donnelly didn’t make me wait when I reached him, simply lowering his voice.

“We’ve got the O’Malley baptism right after this, so we really need to get this show on the road. Do you have any idea what the hold-up is?”

“I’m afraid not,” I said, doing my utmost best to keep calm. “I’ll find out, though.”

“Thank you,” he said. “God is patient, but the O’Malleys are not.”

“I understand, Father. I’ll handle it.”

He nodded once and moved away. Bree was watching him go when I rejoined her, worry glistening in her eyes when they met mine. “That seemed ominous.”

“It’s fine.”

She didn’t buy it, but she reached out anyway, her hand wrapping gently around my forearm. “Do you want me to check on Liana?”

The offer caught me off guard, but while I appreciated it, I shook my head. It was sweet of her to ask, and it made me realize again that she genuinely cared about my sister, which made me like her even more, but this wasn’t something I could pawn off on a friend. “Thank you, really, but I’ll go.”

“Okay.” Her thumb brushed once, the movement small, but steady against my sleeve. “I’ll be right here.”

I nodded, pulling my phone out again as I stepped into the aisle. There was still nothing, but I was done waiting. Opening my messaging app, I scrolled to Neil’s contact and fired off a quick text.

Me: Where are you?

I sent it as I walked toward the back, past curious looks and whispered questions. My phone remained still in my hand, not buzzing or chiming for my entire march up the aisle. Up the narrow staircase off the foyer, I reached a carpeted hallway and Liana’s dressing room door came into view.

As I approached it, my phone finally buzzed. I stopped walking immediately. Then my heart dropped straight out of my ass when I saw the reply I’d gotten from him.

Neil Grantham: I can’t do this. Tell Liana I’m sorry.

That was it. He hadn’t even bothered to give a reason, just a short, cowardly Oopsie, I’m out, bro. I couldn’t fucking stand it, but I kept staring at the screen, waiting for more, and yet, nothing came.

My hands went cold, but here it was, the moment my gut had been warning me about. I finally looked up at the dressing-room door again, not sure how I was going to walk through it and break my little sister’s heart, but drawing it out any longer was just cruel.

Somewhere behind that worn wooden panel, Liana was waiting for the news that Neil had arrived, and I was the lucky winner who got to tell her that he wasn’t coming. I’d never detested anyone as much as I did him in that moment, but I still lifted my fist and knocked, my heart in my throat and murder on my mind.

“Come in,” she called from the other side of the door and I inhaled a deep breath—not that it helped quell the violence rising from parts of my soul I hadn’t even realized I possessed.

Liana turned when I walked in, her face already lit up, nervously smiling like she thought I was there to tell her it was time.

“Is he ready?” she asked. “Because Father Donnelly keeps hovering and—” She cut herself off when her gaze swept across my face, the smile faltering immediately. “Sullivan, what’s wrong?”

I closed the door behind me, stepping into a room that smelled like hairspray, flowers, and something sweet I couldn’t place. Liana looked radiant and happy, her dress perfectly fitted and her strawberry blonde hair cascading in soft curls around her shoulders.

“You look gorgeous,” I said, my voice hoarse as my heart broke because of what I was about to do to her. “Seriously, sis. You’re stunning today.”

“Thanks,” she said, softer now, concern starting to furrow her brow. “What happened?”

I pulled my phone out of my pocket, my hand shaking just enough to piss me off as I unlocked the screen and held it out to her. “Neil texted me.”

“Texted you?” She frowned. “Why would he⁠—”

“He’s not coming, Liana.” I took her hand and put the phone in it, gently wrapping her fingers around it. I knew her well enough to know she’d need the proof to make it feel real. “I’m so, so sorry, but he’s not marrying you today.”