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“Case, why don’t you help her out?” Callie asked. “Those boxes are heavy lifting.”
Fancy shot Callie a glare. What was she playing at? It would be awkward to go into the attic with Case. But if she balked at the idea, perhaps Case would figure out that she still had feelings for him. She couldn’t imagine anything more humiliating.
“No problem,” Case said with a nod. “After you,” he said, waving his hand in the air. Fancy moved toward the door, leading the way into the hallway and toward the grand spiral staircase. She felt self-conscious as she led the way up three stories toward the attic. Thankfully, she was dressed more casually today. Ballet flats and jeans were much more manageable when climbing steep stairs.
By the time they got to the attic Fancy’s breathing was a bit ragged. She could hear a little wheeze in her throat. More and more lately it was happening to her. She needed to get more exercise.
“You okay there? It sounds like you just ran a mile.” Fancy didn’t need to turn around to detect the sarcasm in Case’s voice.
“I’m fine. Thanks for asking,” she said briskly. Reminder to self. Join the YMCA. Take up kick boxing or Pilates. Despite her 5’10 height and model physique, she was out of shape. And it was slightly embarrassing that her former fiancé had noticed.
She pushed open the attic door, wrinkling her nose at the slightly musty smell. All in all, the attic was in great shape. A few skylights provided plentiful sunlight. The ceiling beams were antique wood that had withstood the test of time. A mahogany rocking chair sat in the corner under the eaves. A multitude of boxes sat in the far right corner. Fancy quickly made her way over toward the boxes. She could hear the tread of Case’s feet behind her.
The sound of the door closing, followed by a clicking sound drew both of their attention.
Case frowned. “Hey. What was that?”
“It sounded like the door shut,” Fancy said. “Maybe a draft.”
Case quickly moved toward the door and tugged on it. It wouldn’t budge. “That wasn’t a draft. Someone just locked us in here.”
“I highly doubt anyone did it on purpose,” Fancy said. “I mean…why would they?”
Case began banging on the door. “Believe what you want. But doors don’t just close and lock on their own.”
“T-they wouldn’t,” Fancy sputtered.
“Okay, guys. This isn’t funny,” Case said in an annoyed voice. He
banged on the wooden door.
Fancy came up behind him and kicked at the door. “Open up. This is so incredibly juvenile. Whose bright idea was this?” She yelled at the door. “Callie? Morgan? Heads are going to roll for this. That I can promise you.” She held her finger high in the air as if issuing a challenge. Realizing that no one but Case could see her, she placed her hands at her side and began breathing deeply in and out.
“This is ridiculous!” He threw his hands up in the air. “I can’t believe they would do this. It’s childish and immature and incredibly irresponsible.”
Fancy shook her head. “It’s pretty hardcore, I’ll admit.”
He clenched his jaw. “What do they think this is going to achieve? This isn’t some old school movie where we’re going to bond and reconcile because they locked us in here. That’s their agenda, isn’t it?”
“Why are you asking me? I’m in the same boat as you are. I have no clue what their mindset is.”
Case narrowed his gaze at her. “Are you sure about that?”
Fancy sputtered. “Of course I’m sure. Of all the colossal nerve. Do you actually think that I want to be trapped with you in here? A man who hates my guts? Who thinks I’m worse than the junk on the soles of his shoes?”
“I don’t hate you, Fancy. I could never hate you,” Case said, his features creased with emotion. “It’s not about hating you.”
She locked gazes with him. “It sort of seems like you do. Most times you can’t even look at me, and when you do, it’s like you’re staring straight through me. That hurts,” she said with a sob.
“I have to do that. Do you think I want to look at you and remember everything we meant to one another? Do you think I don’t hurt over our breakup? We should be married now, Fancy. Man and wife. Till death do us part. Instead of becoming my forever, you broke my heart.”
Fancy wiped away stray tears that were streaming down her face. “You broke my heart too, Case Duvall. That last day we had together I begged for your forgiveness so we could start a life together. I was willing to do anything to earn your forgiveness. You leaned down and kissed me. It was the most tender, soulful, meaningful kiss of my life. And then you looked down at me and told me it was going to be the last kiss that we ever shared.” Fancy let out a sob, then placed her hand over her mouth to stifle it. “I can’t even begin to imagine why you kissed me like that then walked away.”
Case winced and shook his head. “Don’t cry, Fancy. Please don’t.” He reached out and took her in his arms, pressing her against his chest as if he had every intention of protecting her from a world of hurt.
**
What had he done? Out of pure instinct he’d reached for Fancy and taken her into his arms. Truthfully, he hadn’t even thought about it. It had come as naturally to him as breathing.
