Page 37 of Unhitched
So many questions I want to ask them battle for space on the tip of my tongue. But they don’t owe me answers or life lessons, and this day is chaotic enough for them. “You’re welcome,” I say, feeling more unsettled than not.
Eli turns to the officiant. “I don’t know what protocol is here, but do we just start over and go back in there, or?”
“I’ll take care of it,” the man assures him with a squeeze to his shoulder. “Why don’t you two take a minute, and I’ll make sure everyone resets.”
As soon as the officiant disappears, Ali addresses me again. “You’re welcome to stay.”
I shake my head. “Thank you, but I don't want to intrude more than I have. Have fun.” I tack on a smile even though I’m really freaking upset inside.
Like Cory and Topanga breaking up level upset, but I can’t help but wonder if these two need real time apart before finding their way back to each other.
“Well, the offer is open,” Eli adds. “Thank you, Mya.”
I take the cue, scanning the room for my escape.
When I spot a back door, I peek my head around the partition long enough to find Kace in the crowd.
His eyes meet mine almost immediately, and when I turn away, despite the chaos lingering in the rest of the room, I can feel him stand to follow me outside.
Taking a deep breath, I push through the door, feeling like I might fall over if I don’t have something to steady me soon.
Why am I so emotional right now? Cold air bites me as I step outside and press my hand against the wood exterior of the building to ground myself.
Taking a shaky breath, I stare at the sliver of river I can see from the backside of the venue, watching the water rush past like what just happened was the smallest rock incapable of diverting its path.
I hadn’t heard the click of the door opening again, so when Kace touches my shoulder, it startles me. “Are you okay?”
I shake my head, not able to form words.
His hand falls to my lower back, and he gently shifts me until I’m facing away from the venue and leaning against the building like he knows I need the support.
Goosebumps erupt across my skin as the cold sinks in, but I hesitate to make my way to the truck.
Kace’s hands land on my arms, and even though they’re warm, the goosebumps hold their ground as he rubs his palms against my skin.
“Talk to me,” he says, and I’m shocked by the gesture.
I nod, then shake my head. “I don’t know.”
“What happened?”
“I failed.” I sigh, and his hands tense against my arms, transferring his confusion to me. I’m suddenly aware of how close he is, the jacket of his suit brushing against my dress in the space between us.
“Because you didn’t tear apart a relationship?” I can’t tell if there’s judgment in his tone or if I’m imagining it.
“But I was supposed to break them up.” Turmoil rattles through me, and my stomach feels sick.
“Mya.” His hands slide up my arms, stopping above my collarbone.
The warmth of his skin settles against my neck as his thumb rubs across my jaw.
This time, my goosebumps dissipate under his touch, and it takes everything in me to not be distracted from the thoughts running through my mind. “This is a good thing.”
I shift my gaze across his face, wondering if he could possibly be telling the truth.
“They want to get married, right?” he clarifies.
I nod. “That’s what they said. But her mom was so sure…”
“Ali’s mom isn’t Ali or Eli. Only they can know what they want. If they want to get married and you helped them be sure of that, then you did your job.”
“How are people supposed to know?” I whisper.
He mindlessly brushes his thumb across my jaw like he’s doing it out of instinct to comfort me more than anything. “Know what?”
“When to give up and when to keep trying?” I look at him like he has the answers I need, but the more time that passes without a response, I know I’m kidding myself. Even if he did have the answers, he wouldn’t open up to me. He might consider us friends, but he doesn’t see me the way I see him.
His gaze flashes to my lips before they’re back on my eyes–although I’m sure I imagined the motion because he drops his hold on my face like he just realized it’s too intimate. “There’s no rulebook, so I don’t know,” he says, confirming my assumption either way.
Still, his presence eases the conflict swirling inside me, and I chew on the corner of my lip to keep from trying to kiss him again.
“Was everyone freaking out while I was talking to Ali and Eli?”
“I’m not really sure. I was worrying about you,” he admits, shoving his hands in his pockets like it’ll keep me from misinterpreting his confession.
Despite his internal struggle, hearing him say that feels like a win. “Thank you for being here for me–for listening.” Searching his eyes, I bite into the side of my cheek as I wait for his reply.
His hands slip from his pockets and link around my forearms–the contact against my bare skin strong enough to warm me. He grows serious as his fingers drag down my arms until they link with my hands. “Thank you for being here while I work through my shit. I know I’m not always easy to be around.”
My mouth falls open, shocked by the shift, my mind processing what he’s saying and relishing in the comfort I find in his hands holding mine. “You’re welcome,” I whisper. “I’m here if you want to talk about it or anything else.”
“I know.” He squeezes my hands. “You ready to go home?”
I nod, and he drops his hold on me before leading us back to the car and taking me home.