Page 144

Her breath hitches, and my heart begins to race. Her eyes fill and I clamp down on the emotions that are racing through my system.

“But—”

A rush of fear sets in.

I take her hand, stroking my thumb over the back of her fingers. “I’ve lived my whole life in the public eye. The good, the bad and the ugly. When you’re ready, and if it’s what you want. Quentin can help us release the narrative we want. It’s better to get in there first. Owning your past will be better than hiding it.”

“But what about your family?” The quiver in her voice breaks my heart.

I smile. “My family love you. What part of my sisters taking you out, did you miss? You make me happy. They’ll support you whatever you decide.”

April withdraws her hand and places it in her lap. I watch as her shoulders sag and a heavy feeling settles in my chest.When she looks up, I’m shocked to see the lost look in her eyes.

“I’m going to be honest. I can’t simply take a leap of faith. Every time I’ve let myself feel safe, believe life has taken a turn for the better, something has happened to destroy that. From the age of three, I have lived each day not knowing what is going to happen next. I’m sorry, Cal. I can’t?—“

Her voice catches and she bites down on her bottom lip. I hold my hand out on top of the table, relieved when she takes it, interlocking our fingers. “I’m not ready. Please, I beg you. Don’t give up on me.” When her voice catches for the second time, I raise her hand to my lips. My heart clenches, but I know if we have any chance, I need to do as she asks.

Her words are like a punch to the stomach. I want to take away all the pain she’s ever experienced, but I know I can’t.

“I’ll wait for as long as you need me to. Show how life without me is mundane and boring,” I tell her truthfully. I will prove to April Wilson she cannot live without me.

The smile she shoots my way steals my breath. My heart stalls when she says. “It already is.”

I talkApril into accepting a dessert to share.

My stomach churns with my next question.

“April?”

She looks up, taking the mouthful I have just offered her from the spoon.

“Yes, Cal,” she says, smirking. My eyes lock on her mouth, and she licks the crème brûlée that has stuck to her lip.

I groan and run a hand down my face. “You’ll be the death of me,” I say, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

When we used to eat dinner at home, we often had our own course in the middle. In public, that’s not possible. Mycock, however, has not got the memo. “In all seriousness, I have to ask you something.”

April sits up. “Okay,” she says.

Maybe I should wait.

“It’s your mum,” I say

She sits back in her chair and stares at me. “What have you done?” she asks, her tone accusatory. “Cal?”

I hold up my hands. “Nothing. I swear.”

“Then why bring up my mum?”

She takes an angry mouthful of dessert. Stabbing at the plate as if she wishes it is my head.

Shit, I should have left it.

“Elijah.”

She shoots me a look.

“I’m grateful for what your brother did at the party. How he stood up for me, but he doesn’t have any right. He’s out of line. He needs to stay out of my business.”