He was pleading with me. In all the years we’d dated, never once had he begged me for something. Was he hurt? Had something gone wrong? I knew his father was sick. Had something happened to him?
“Or I’ll fly you to me,” he said. “Whatever you want.”
Shockingly enough, I was actually considering it. Even though I thought our last fight ended things, the thing was, I did go a little crazy. I spun off at him and yelled things I shouldn’t have and the least he deserved was an apology. We didn’t have to rekindle things, but I did need closure.
I did need to look him in his eyes and tell him I was done.
Besides, the path I was going down with the Trent Brothers would end my relationship with all of them. I would end up breaking the bond I’d developed with them ever since my childhood and I couldn’t have that on my conscience.
I’d never be able to live with myself, much less come home, knowing I could no longer experience the world with them.
“I’ll have lunch with you if you fly to me,” I said.
“Done,” he said. “I’ll meet you anywhere you want to tomorrow.”
“There’s a place in town called Village Diner. See you at noon.”
“See you then, butterfly.”
I cringed at his nickname for me as I hung up the phone. He always called me that when he knew he’d fucked up. I sighed as I laid down onto my bed, allowing my comforter to soak up the wetness still clinging to my body.
I had a feeling this was all going to go very wrong.
**
I ventured into town the next day and got us a table by the window. I sat down and ordered myself a cup of coffee, needing the energy after staying up half the night worrying about this meeting. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm my body while it vibrated with nerves.
But the moment I looked up and saw Landon looking down his nose at everything around him, I knew I’d made a serious mistake.
“Kyra! There you are.”
He came over to me and kissed my cheek, his hand warm on the small of my back. He slid into the booth and smiled while absent-mindedly wiping down the table in front of him. He was trying to be nice while being the absolute pompous windbag I knew him to be and all I wanted was for this conversation to be over.
“You look beautiful,” he said, smiling. “And rested.”
“I feel that way, thank you.”
“The mountains here are gorgeous. I can see why you enjoy this place.”
“I always tried to get you to come here,” I said.
“And I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner. Really, butterfly.”
He reached across the table and took my hand and, for a split second, I was thrown back to a different time. A time before we were engaged where he was sweet like this all the time. Complimenting me and holding my hand during dinners. Playing footsie with me underneath the table and placing light kisses on top of my skin.
His thumb began tracing patterns against my hand and I allowed myself to get lost in the ministrations.
“I’ve picked a date,” he said.
“For what?” I asked.
“Our wedding.”
I felt myself freeze as my eyes connected with his.
“What?” I asked.
“Yeah. I picked a date for us and my parents are so excited about planning the wedding.”