“I’m engaged.”
Larissa didn’t look convinced. “Don’t hurt her,” she repeated, before walking back over, to continue working her shaker.
“She works for my fiancé. I didn’t come looking for her. That was seven years ago.”
Larissa paused, her icy green eyes, lifting to meet mine in space. “Your reasons and excuses mean nothing. That girl is special. We all love her. We’ll protect her at any and all cost. She didn’t have a normal teenage life, those years robbed by that damn disease. You were the last real memory she had before it all went to shit. She’s strong in many ways but her heart is innocent, fragile and please don’t forget that.”
“I realize that, but I’m not going to date her, it isn’t like I can hurt her.”
Larissa rolled her eyes and muttered a curse. “You’re the only one who can dumbass. Didn’t you hear what I said?”
I started to say more when Larissa’s eyes lifted to someone behind me. I turned to see Bliss dancing closely against Micha. They were looking in each other’s eyes talking. “She looks like she has her eyes on someone else.”
Larissa laughed. “Micah? Not in this lifetime.”
That answered my question about them. The relief that came from her words was the only warning I needed. She was right. If I didn’t control my fucking emotions Bliss could get hurt and it would be on me. As much as I was tempted and drawn to her, Bliss York wasn’t in my future, though she was firmly set in my past.
Bliss York
“WHO IS HE Bliss?” Micah asked the moment we started dancing. He was staring at Nate over my shoulder. Trying to figure out how he knew him.
“He’s from my past. But his fiancé doesn’t know and she’s my boss. It’s best the past stay passed. Please don’t say anything. I don’t want any further discussion.”
Micah scowled and turned his eyes to mine. “He’s the guy from that summer.”
I imagine most people don’t have their first love or relationship remembered as having been so important and vital by EVERYONE around them. Nate was “the guy” because he was the only real one I had when I was a teen before it all came crashing down. My sickness came soon after Nate and permanently changed my life. He was B.C. and would forever remain B.C., innocently cast into that roll. Nate was remembered for having played it. Being there before my diagnosis.
It was only a matter of time before they all knew who he was. Which meant this dance had to be short and was getting shorter every second. When I’d invited Octavia to come here tonight all I’d been thinking about was forcing myself to be around them and getting accustomed to that. I didn’t think she would come. This wasn’t her kind of place. She didn’t “slum” with the locals and whatnot.
Until I saw them walk in the door I didn’t think my friends would remember Nate. It hadn’t even crossed my mind.
“Are you okay? I mean with him being here? And engaged?”
As if there was an answer to that. A normal person would be fine. It was seven years ago. I should be completely okay with it. That was what made sense.
“Yes, of course. It was another lifetime ago,” I replied.
“B.C.”
“Exactly.”
The song finished. I had to move. “I need to get back in case someone else remembers who he is. Otherwise it will be like lightning striking in a big dry forest. When it catches one, the rest will catch to, and then the forest will burn.”
“Very good analogy Bliss. He’s talking to Larissa. She looks pissed off. I guess she remembered him. There’s tree number two a burnin’.”
Crap!
I hurried over to the bar just as Nate was turning around to leave. I quickly scanned his face for any sign of anger. I only saw mild frustration. Glancing at Larissa behind him I noticed her scowling at his back. Yep, okay, she remembered him. Alright, here we go. Trees just a burnin’ and a burnin’.
“Do I need to be concerned that anyone else may recall who I am and want to kill me?” He asked and smiled disgustedly.
“I think Micah will help if they start to. I’ll be back at the table in a minute. I need to get a drink.”
“Why did you invite her, hell, us, into this, knowing what would happen?”
Good question.
“I’m not sure. Trust me I’m regretting it. Bad idea. Really bad idea.”
Nate started to say something else and then stopped before he walked off.
I turned my attention to Larissa who was eagerly waiting for me. She knew I was here to talk to her. I rarely drank that much.
She asked “why can’t the fiancé know you once had a thing?” Her expression spoke volumes, said she was annoyed, and so I answered bluntly and directly.