And what a foolish question it is to ask someone in this situation. I almost snapped at him but refrained.
I laughed once, weak and breathless. "No."
"That's fair."
We took another turn, then another. Residential streets now. Familiar ones. My chest tightened as I recognized landmarks.
"You shouldn't bring me all the way," I said quietly. "If they followed...."
"They didn't," he said. "I wouldn't risk it."
He slowed a block away from my house and pulled over, engine idling softly.
The sudden quiet was unbearable.
I picked the gun up from the floor and held it out to him. My fingers brushed his when he took it. The contact sent an unexpected shiver through me.
"I didn't think I'd ever do that," I said.
"Most people don't," he replied.
I opened the door, my legs weak as I stepped out onto the pavement. The night air felt too cold.
I turned back to him. "This doesn't end here."
"Yes," he agreed. "It does, you'll do well to accustom yourself to that I'm not having a change of mind on my decision to marry your sister."
I hesitated, then nodded once and walked toward my gate without looking back. Feelign defeated I waited until I was inside the fence before turning around.
His car was already gone.
I stood there in the dark for a long time, heart still racing, hands still shaking.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><>>>>>>>>>>>>
My phone rang before my alarm did.
I was already awake, jsut staring at the ceiling deep in thoughts , but I still jumped when it buzzed against the nightstand. I reached for it without looking, already knowing who it would be.
"Ivy?" I said.
Her voice came through rushed and strained. "Elaine, Grandpa called me."
I sat up slowly, feet touching the floor. "What did he say?"
"He said I need to come to the house. That everyone has to be there. He said it's today." She paused, then added quietly, "He said the some man will be there to see me."
I closed my eyes.
"Okay," I said. "Breathe for a second."
"I don't want to go," she said quickly. "I'm tired of this. He keeps doing this. Three dates this month and now this. I told him I don't want to meet anyone else."
"I know cupcakes."
"He didn't listen."
"No," I said. "He wouldn't."
She was quiet for a moment, and I could picture her pacing, phone pressed to her ear, chewing at her nail the way she always did when she was anxious.
"Elaine," she said, softer now. "I'm scared, you know how granddad is."
"He wants everyone there." She added.
"Then everyone will be there," I said. "Including me."
"Promise?"
"Yes I promise."
Another pause. Her breathing steadied a little. "Lucas already left. Noah too. They didn't say much, just that Grandpa called."
"Okay," I said. "Get dressed. Nothing fancy. Just comfortable."
"I don't want to look like I'm trying," she said.
"Then don't," I replied. "You don't owe anyone an impression."
She let out a small breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "I'll see you there?"
"I'll be there."
After we hung up, I stayed seated for a minute, phone still in my hand.