Page 36 of Cinder & Secrets (Ink & Ashes #2)

Charlotte

“Char!” I turn at the sound of my name, smiling when I see Lyric jogging toward me.

“Hey.” I stop, waiting for her to reach me. “I thought you had class until two today,” I say, giving her a second to catch her breath.

“I skipped math. I was actually just heading over to the dorm to see if you or Maisie wanted to have lunch.”

“Maisie has practice, but I’m free.”

“Yeah?” Her entire face lights up.

“Beats sitting in my dorm staring at my computer screen, trying to figure out what the hell to write for this English assignment.”

“What’s the assignment?”

“A five-thousand-word essay on how my life has changed since starting college.”

“Well, that should be easy enough, right?”

“You would think so, but everything I write seems so juvenile. And I really need this professor to like my work if I want any hope of getting into her writing seminar this summer.”

“You’re taking a writing seminar?”

“I’m hoping to take a writing seminar. But there are only twenty spots and unless I can really impress her with this essay, there’s not a chance in hell I’m going to get in.”

“Please. You’re an incredible writer. You’ll figure it out. Of that, I’m sure.”

“I wish I shared your optimism.” I chuckle. “So, where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere is fine with me.”

“I’m kinda craving Mexican.”

“I could be down for some chips and salsa.” She rubs her stomach. “I haven’t eaten today and I’m starving.”

“Why haven’t you eaten today? It’s noon.”

“Well, I overslept this morning and then I got... Distracted.” She gives me a sly smile.

“By the time I got undistracted, I had like five minutes to get dressed and get my butt out the door. As much as I love living with Kai, it’s days like today that I wish I still lived on campus. Everything is so much closer.”

“Well, you could always move back in with us next year,” I suggest, hopeful but not delusional.

“As much as I miss living with you girls...”

“You like living with Kai a whole hell of a lot better.” I grin. “Don’t worry, I get it. I would rather live with River than Maisie, but don’t tell her that.”

“How are things with my brother, anyway?” she asks as we turn, heading toward the only Mexican restaurant within walking distance, a little hole-in-the-wall place just off campus.

“Really good.” I try to contain the smile that spreads across my face, but it does me no good.

“So the long-distance thing...”

“Is challenging, but we’re making it work. Maisie has been kind enough to make herself discreet on the weekends that he comes up. He’s been staying with us instead of a hotel because...”

“Staying in a hotel nearly every weekend gets expensive.” She finishes my thought.

“Exactly.” I nod.

“But it’s been okay?”

“Better than okay. I know it’s weird because he’s your brother and all, but... God, Lyric, he really just makes me so happy. Like I never in a million years thought I would ever be this girl.”

“And what kind of girl is that?”

“The kind that is obsessed with a singular man who consumes nearly every waking thought I have.”

“It’s scary loving someone that much.”

“It is.” I realize that if anyone understands how overwhelming it can be, it’s Lyric.

“But you’re happy?”

“Very.”

“And how are you feeling... physically, I mean.”

My insides coil at the thought of what she’s asking me. While I’ve made peace with losing the baby, it still hurts when I allow myself to think about it for too long.

“I’m getting by.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bring it up. I just... Want to make sure you’re okay, is all.”

“I am. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part, I’m feeling better about everything. It’s not like I can change it, so what’s the point in dwelling on it?”

“I guess that’s true.” She thinks over my words for a long moment.

“I have something to tell you, but I’m worried about what you’re going to think.” Something about the way she looks at me has me feeling pretty sure I know exactly where this is going.

“You’re pregnant,” I blurt.

“What? No.” She shakes her head with a laugh.

“Then what?”

“Promise you won’t say anything until I’m ready to tell everyone.”

“Of course.” I stop walking, feeling like I need to be standing still for this.

“Kai proposed.”

“What?” I squeal so loud my voice carries across the open space.

“Last night.” She nods, failing to fight the smile threatening to split her face in half.

“And... What did you say?”

“Yes. Duh.” She laughs.

“Did he give you a ring?” I search her left hand for one, but there’s nothing.

“He did. It’s stunning.”

“Then why aren’t you wearing it?”

“Because I feel like I need to tell my parents before it becomes public knowledge.”

“I get that.” I smile, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly. “How do you feel?”

“So happy that I’m afraid I might explode.” Her eyes glass over with unshed tears, tears of happiness if I had to wager a guess.

“I’m so happy for you, Ly. Truly. There isn’t a person on this planet who deserves to be happier than you do.”

“Well, I don’t know about that...” She shakes her head. “I just... I never pictured this as the turn my life would take. That night, when I sat down on that couch and met Kai’s stare, it changed everything, and even now, I simply can’t wrap my head around it.”

“Life is funny like that. One minute, you think you know what to expect, and then bam, you hit a roadblock you couldn’t see until you were smashing face first into it.”

“River?” She guesses.

“I never saw myself settling down. Commitment was the furthest thing from my mind. All I wanted was to live the full college experience. Hook up with random guys, drink too much, make all sorts of mistakes. Instead, look at me.” I hold my arms out.

“A one-man woman. Who would have thought it?” I snort out a laugh.

“Monogamy looks good on you,” she tells me with a grin.

“And engagement looks damn good on you,” I say back. “Lyric Elliot. It has a certain ring to it.”

“It does, doesn’t it.” She loops her arm through mine as we resume walking.

“I need you to do me a favor and tell River before anyone else because if I have to keep this to myself for very long, I might be the one exploding.”

“I’m going to tell him this weekend when he comes to see you.”

“He’s not coming this weekend,” I correct her. “Something about work and he couldn’t get the weekend off.”

“Oh.” She seems surprised by this. “Okay, well, a phone call would suffice, I guess.”

“And Maisie?”

“I was planning to tell her at her birthday party next weekend, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to wait that long.”

“She’s going to freaking lose her shit.”

“In a good way, I hope.” Lyric grimaces.

“Are you kidding? She’s going to be so happy. Kai is like a brother to her,” I say, briefly wondering how she would feel if River asked me to marry him.

It’s absurd to even think that this early on, but I won’t deny that if he did, I’d say yes in a heartbeat.

“Your brother, on the other hand...”

“You think he’ll be upset?”

“No, I think it’ll be bittersweet for him. He only wants your happiness. But you’re also his baby sister.”

“I’m glad he has you.” She squeezes my arm. “And I’m glad you have him. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for him. To find someone who makes him even a fraction as happy as you make him.”

“Well, to be fair, he makes me equally happy.” I can’t help the smile that seems permanently attached to my lips anytime I talk about River.

“Who knows, maybe one day we’ll be sisters for real.” She gives me a cheeky grin.

“Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Besides, only one engagement at a time. And right now, it’s your turn.”

“Mrs. Kai Elliot.” She sighs contently, leaning her head against my shoulder.

“How does it feel knowing you landed the most sought-after, unavailable man on campus?”

“Pretty damn good.” She chuckles. “But then again, I could ask you the same question. It’s not like my brother was exactly standing there with his arms open just waiting for someone to fall into them.

If anything, some might argue that he was more unattainable than Kai, and yet, look at him now.

You should see him when he talks about you, the way his entire face lights up.

Very similar to how you react whenever we talk about River. ” She throws me a knowing look.

“Don’t act like you aren’t exactly the same with Kai.” I nudge her with my hip.

“Fair. I guess it’s safe to say we’re both pretty smitten.”

“You just agreed to marry the man. I think smitten is underplaying it.”

“Perhaps. Though I get the feeling I’m not the only one whose life is going to change.”

Something about the way she says it gives me pause.

“Do you know something?” I can’t help but ask, getting the distinct feeling she’s not telling me something.

“No. Just call it a feeling.” She shrugs. “Do you ever worry it will all go away?” The playfulness of our conversation dies in an instant, replaced by something more serious... fear.

“Every single day,” I admit.

“Me too. I just look at Kai and can’t help but be terrified that one day I might lose him.”

“That man is head over ass. Trust me when I say, he’s not going anywhere.” I blow out a breath. “But I do know what you mean. I think it’s normal to be scared when things are seemingly too good.”

“I guess.” She blows out a breath.

“If he was planning on going anywhere, he wouldn’t have asked you to be his wife.”

“Yeah.” Her smile returns as she contemplates my words. “I guess you have a point there.” She looks up as we near the restaurant. “Finally. I’m so hungry I think my stomach is eating my intestines.”

“Don’t think that’s possible, but okay.” I bark out a laugh, tugging the door open when we reach it before gesturing for her to go in first.

It’s just after four o’clock when I get back to the dorm. After eating my weight in nachos and fajitas, I feel overly full and honestly, kind of ready for a nap.