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Aggie’s eyes softened. “You finally know what it’s about to let someone else in.”
Emilia’s vision dropped to the ground, her stomach hard with regret. “I wish it hadn’t taken so long to understand. I’ve been a real idiot.”
“No, dear. See it like this…” Aggie’s imploring stare pleaded for Emilia to challenge her thinking once more. “You went to hell and back, had a lot workin’ against you, and still came out okay. I bet that’s why Blaine worked so hard to get you back. You’re resilient, and you don’t hold on to bitterness. Take this win, it’s well deserved.”
Whatever tension dragged at Emilia slipped away, a greater sense of pride taking over. True enough, she’d fought her demons and moved on. A life with Blaine lingered on her horizon, and all the other stuff weighing her down would just have to settle into the background.
She looked over her shoulder at Blaine, urgency pushing her before she bobbed down and gave Aggie a hurried kiss. “Thank you, Aggie, you’re a real-life fairy godmother.”
Aggie chuckled in the background, and Emilia raced back to Blaine.
He tilted his chin toward the candy stand. “What was that about?”
“Never mind.” She took his hand and pulled. “Just follow me.”
He gave a moment of resistance and then moved from his spot, allowing her to pull him through the crowd, despite the crush of bodies slowing her down.
Sarah’s golden hair glinted from across the clearing, the woman sitting alone atop a fallen tree trunk. Emilia paused. Heavy guilt lifted her hand in an apologetic wave at Blaine’s ex.
Sarah waved back, though her slouched posture suggested she wasn’t in the mood to party. She’d sacrificed her engagement to make room for Emilia in Blaine’s life, and it was clear enough that a price had been paid. Emilia owed it to her not to waste this second chance.
Her attention caught on a man some way off to Sarah’s left. He was built like a human skyscraper. Tall and solid. He appeared out of place. Emilia’s stomach roiled. She’d never seen him in Harlow before, but for some reason, his overly focused scowl seemed familiar.
A high-pitched squeal blasted in her ear. So much happening at this soiree. She spun around to find the gleeful sound came from Ally; a sturdy-looking guy, who looked like he probably played football, lifting her into the air. The younger woman’s head flung her head back with a tidal wave of laughter.
Emilia smiled, glad her friend had found her own fun.
“Emilia!” Blaine tugged at her hand, spinning her to face him. She barely missed slamming into his chest. By the time she looked over her shoulder to the man she’d noticed in the clearing, he was gone. “What’s happening? Where are you taking me?”
That’s right, Blaine had no clue of her plan, and now that his face bore a deep frown, she needed to keep moving.
“For once, be the one who has to trust me, okay?” She fixed him with a determined stare, though her blood pounded wildly in her veins.
The gorgeous man in front of her would learn what her heart had waited ten-hellish-years to reveal. That words would not suffice.
But first, she’d lose this crowd.
The band’s violins faded and a thumping Celtic drum took over, a fevered Irish jig adding to the sense of wild abandon. Blaine’s brow furrowed, but he squeezed at her hand and nodded for her to lead on.
Before long, they disappeared into a thick line of trees, the dark and lonely woodland offering a buffer against the party lights and sounds.
“What’s the problem?” He stared down at her now, deathly serious, his face hard to see under the scattered moonlight.
“What makes you think there’s a problem?”
“You nearly ripped my arm out to get me here.” The soft glisten of his eyes danced about her face, causing her heart to clench and blood to race.
“I want you to kiss me.” She crossed her arms, not used to being so direct.
His posture seized, and he glowered at her, his silence a sign that she’d stunned him.
That silence pulled the muscles at her face, a slow smile taking her over. “I want you to kiss me like the last ten years didn’t happen.”
Despite her smile, his frown bowed deeper. “What are you talking about?”
She growled, annoyed that he didn’t understand. “I don’t want you to treat me like I’m breakable anymore. It’s time we lightened up, don’t you think?” She grabbed his collar, dragging him closer. “I want a whole-hearted kiss. One that will make me go weak all over and turn my body into water.”
“I don’t think that’s physically possible.” The outer corner of his lip quirked up, and his eyes flashed their dazzling green. “And is this still you talking, Emilia Bonacci? Or has the ghost of a sex-crazy teenager possessed you? I need to check. I’m not sure I believe my ears.”
