AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, Anton.”
“It was actually very helpful. I saw the way she looked at him, and I knew.”
“Knew what?”
“She’d never looked at me like that. She’d never loved me. Not even a little bit.”
Finn sipped her champagne, keeping her eyes carefully trained on a spot as far from Caradoc as possible.
“And since then?”
He shrugged. “I’ve dated. Until I met you, I never met anyone I thought I might feel that way about again.”
“Oh, Anton,” her startled eyes flew to his, and he laughed.
“Don’t look so terrified. I’m not saying I love you. Only that I met you and felt the possibilities of love and a future.” He sighed. “But I can tell from your reaction that you don’t feel that for me.”
She swallowed. “I wish, believe me, I wish I did. If I loved you, I would spend my whole life hoping I could one day deserve a guy as great as you. I think you are just … amazing. But I really did fall in love, hard, with someone else.” Her eyes shifted betraying towards Caradoc and then jolted away when she saw his head turning in her direction. “I don’t want him. But I don’t think I want anyone else either.”
Anton nodded sagely.
“Just let it play out. How you feel now might change in the next week or two.”
“In the spirit of honest confession, I should tell you that he’s here. Tonight.”
“Who is?” Anton asked, confused. And then, as clarity dawned, “Oh! Your heartbreaker?”
“Yes. But hush. I don’t want to make a big deal. He knows it’s over between us. I’m here to support you. A friend I care about, a lot.”
“And a charity event you didn’t even remember,” he teased, mercifully taking his hint from her and returning the conversation to more relaxed ground. He stayed by her side for the rest of the night. At least, for as much as possible. But somewhere after his sister had spoken, he was absorbed by the crowd. Would-be donors were lining up to speak to him, and Seraphina knew she ought to give him space. And so she’d slipped away on the pretence of using the ladies room.
Caradoc hadn’t been following her, though he’d been watching her all night. The ache in his gut had become so constant he was now used to it. He had been pulled into conversation with an old college buddy when she’d passed, so lost in thought that she hadn’t even seen him.
It worsened his mood. He watched her slip past the hallway to the amenities and move instead to the small doorway that led to the reception area.
Better.
“Finn.”
She froze, and then spun around, her face pale beneath her make up.
“Caradoc.”
She tilted her chin at a defiant angle that made him want to kiss her, but her eyes were staring daggers.
“What do you want me to say to you?” He groaned. “You are fighting me for no reason.”
She shook her head, and stared past him at a dramatic painting on the far wall. “I want you to leave me alone. I’ve worked so hard to get over you, and you send
ing stupid presents to me every day doesn’t help.”
“I don’t want you to get over me,” he said throatily. “I’m not going anywhere. If you want to move on while I’m right here, then that’s up to you. But I’m not going anywhere, honey. I’m not.”
“Don’t be absurd,” she ground out. “You live in Manhattan.”
“Seriously? That’s what you’re thinking about? The logistics of where I live?” He sobered at her drawn expression. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “It’s not right to joke. I only mean … Finn … I will live anywhere you want to. I will be here, in London, if that’s what it takes. I need you in my life.”
“Stop.” Her voice was louder than she’d intended. She lowered it with effort. “You like to win. You’ve told me that. You’ve probably never played for something and lost. I’m not going to be another business you acquire. A possession you need. I’m a person. A real life flesh and blood woman. And you hurt me.” She snapped her eyes back to him. “You hurt me. You … you made me feel as though …”
