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“Do you want to break the match?” Mom asked quietly. “I thought you two were happy with the arrangement.”
“I’m happy with it, but she doesn’t need to be reminded she wasn’t your first choice,” I snapped.
“She wasn’t a choice at all,” Dad clarified. “She wasn’t supposed to be in the season.”
“Exactly! Her parents offered her up and you accepted without thinking twice.”
They said nothing. I realized my anger and frustration was being put on them when it wasn’t all their fault. Yes, they had a hand in things, but I couldn’t be mad that I had gotten the chance to know Emilie.
“I have to go,” I said. “I’ll see you guys later.”
“We’ll see you tonight,” Mom called out.
I walked out of the house and saw the waiting car in the driveway. “Give me five minutes,” I told the driver.
I walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Astrid opened the door. “Theo.”
“I assume Emilie hasn’t left yet?”
“No, she was just eating breakfast,” she replied.
“Can I see her?”
“Of course.”
I waited in the foyer. Emilie emerged from the kitchen. “Theo, I wasn’t expecting you.”
I smiled, taking in the sight of her in a pair of cropped jeans, wedges, and a flirty pink blouse. She always looked so healthy and happy, even though I knew she was hiding behind the smile.
“Good morning, Emilie,” I greeted her. “I thought we could ride together to the tennis match. What do you say?”
To my surprise, she hesitated only briefly before nodding in agreement. “Sure, Theo, that sounds fine.”
I felt a spark of hope at her willingness to attend the event with me. I hoped today was uneventful. No more drama.
42
EMILIE
The ride to the tennis match was surprisingly pleasant. It was almost like yesterday didn’t happen. I was a little embarrassed after running out on him. I was pissed at myself for letting Sophia get to me. I was committed to standing strong, no matter what anyone said. I wasn’t going to let her or anyone else chase me off. It wasn’t queenly. I wasn’t going to be loved by all.
I just had to suck it up and ignore the gossip.
“Emilie, I wanted to tell you something,” Theo started. “Despite the rough start we had and the fact that we’re complete opposites, I’m really glad I’m matched with you. You are the only person I can see myself being with.”
His words caught me off guard, and I turned to look at him. His eyes met mine and he smiled. “Thank you,” I said, smiling back. I knew he wasn’t to blame for the rude comments made by Sophia directly to my face. She only said what everyone else was whispering behind my back.
He took my hand. “I know that the talk about me being matched with your sister must hurt you. But I want you to understand that I never met her, and I have no interest in her. It’s you, Emilie, that I’m interested in building a life with. Nora chose her path and I can’t say I’m sorry that she walked away from our match. I believe you were always the one I was supposed to be matched with.”
A warmth spread through my chest at his reassurance. It was strange how his words had the power to ease my doubts and fears. I smiled softly at him. “Thank you, Theo. I appreciate your honesty.”
“I’m being serious,” he said again. “I really like spending time with you. I think there is so much more we can learn about each other. I want to explore the world with you. I don’t care about all the other stuff. I just want it to be me and you.”
“I appreciate that,” I said. “I’m trying to rise above. It’s not easy.”
“I know. I will make sure everyone knows they need to mind their own damn business. They don’t know what the hell they’re talking about, and no one speaks for me.”
Still, a part of me felt trepidation about the idea of building a life with him, an actual life. The concept of love and duty coexisting was still a concept I was struggling to get my head around.
