As if he could read my mind Micah pointed his beer at me: “Nate Finlay? Damn, you look familiar!”
We’d met once, I remembered his face as well, but he didn’t need to figure that out right here in front of Octavia. We’d have a shit ton of explaining to do. Octavia knew nothing at all. The less she knew the better, as far as I was concerned.
“His grandfather is famous,” Octavia replied. “When he was younger Nate’s father was in the media a lot. They look like twins I swear. It’s freaky to see them together.”
Micah started to shake his head no. Bliss walked over, grabbed his hand, and blurted out “Micah, you promised me a dance. Let’s dance now . . . right now.”
Micah looked confused, but he didn’t turn her down. I doubt any man would. He stood and stretched like he’d be jumping hurdles: “I like it when you’re bossy and shit. Do it more. Make me mind.”
He was grinning like it was a joke. It really pissed me off. Bliss, however, laughed and tugged his arm, so he followed her willingly to the dance floor.
“Drinks are ready,” Jimmy said, nodding his head toward the bar. I needed an escape so I took it. “I’ll get them,” I replied, before bolting the scene, getting away from the pack and keeping my eyes off Bliss, especially while she danced. That seemed an important task. Not to watch her body move.
When I got to the bar the gorgeous red head stopped mixing and looked directly at my face. “They don’t remember Nate, but I do.”
Shit. What do I say to that? She sat down her shaker, walked over to me, until she was as close as she could get. Still, she leaned aggressively forward, only the bar separating us. “She’s been through a hell we can’t imagine. You hurt her and those guys over there will rearrange that pretty face. We don’t care who your daddy is. Got it? Are we clear?”
I was being threatened. Interesting. That didn’t happen to me. This was a first. I felt very normal. I said what came naturally.
“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.”