AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kal’s eyes dart up from our joined hands, and I don’t miss her scowl before she smiles stiffly at both of us.
“Yes. My mother and I moved to New York when we left Houston.” Her voice is soft. Too soft, like she’s having a hard time breathing.
“You okay, Kal?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Everyone looks at me and I smile.
“Do I not look okay, Remi?” she asks, her eyes stony.
“No. You look great. You’ve just changed… I guess.” I feel like such an idiot.
“You haven’t changed at all.” She casts her eyes toward Joni and then downward, so I can’t look into them. But, I don’t miss the accusation in her voice.
She’s jealous.
Even though she’s looking at me like she wants to knock my lights out, I can’t help but smile.
“Hey, Will.” And a surprised smile turns the corners of her mouth briefly.
“Hey, Carlton.” I hear that undercurrent of a laugh and fuck, it makes me happy.
“Darling, you never mentioned that you and Kal had nicknames.” Joni sounds like she’s three seconds from running from the room in tears.
I glance at Kal to find that she’s watching me and her eyes narrow slightly before she looks back at Joni.
“I was just a blip in his life. I’m sure he just forgot.” She says tightly and I want to laugh.
Fuck yes.
“Impossible, Lee. You’re unforgettable.” Paul smiles at me and there’s a glint of worry in his eyes. He may have his arm around her, but he knows he doesn’t have her.
“Anyway, hate to bust up your reunion,” he pulls Kal closer to him.
“You’re not.” I say coldly.
His smile disappears. “I see someone I need to speak with. Will you walk with me?” He turns Kal and steers her away before she can respond.
I look back over my shoulder as we make our way to the bride and groom’s table and find Kal also looking over hers. She doesn’t look away quickly, this time. Instead, she holds my gaze and I see everything then, everything I’ve wondered. Hope flares. We still have a chance and I’m going to take it.
17
WINDFALL
KAL
My head and heart are still spinning when I see Remi and Joni walking to our table. And then, Remi’s eyes find mine. It’s a jolt to my heart. I swallow the lump in my throat and force myself to look at Paul instead.
Whatever cruel twist of destiny reunited us at the worst possible moment in my life can go and fuck itself.
I was finally starting to think that maybe I had everything I wanted.
I nursed a broken heart for years after we left Houston. I threw myself into school and found a home in the sociology department at Columbia.
I was able to indulge my natural curiosity about other people in a place that encouraged studying their interactions.
It was the perfect training for journalism school.
Just a year ago, I landed the job of my dreams.
