Page 73 of Shattered Oath
"Prove it. Tell us how you two met."
Aria opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again, visibly censoring herself.
"We met in high school, but officially it all started at Evie's school. He was there to well… to get me fired. And he proposed this ridiculous thing… he wanted me to tutor Evie… wait for it, at his home.”
“Oooh, he was trying to get you alone,” Priya said.
Aria giggled. “Well… obviously I didn’t agree to that. We absolutely hated each other, until he bid on me at that charity event. It was for uhm…” she thought for a second. “I don’t remember. Anyways, he kissed me the night of our first date and the rest is history.”
"You didn't say his name once," Nalani observed. "I'm impressed."
"I'm a professional."
"Tell us about the proposal."
Aria's face softened, going tender at the memory. "Why? You were all there.” She wiggled her finger at us accusingly. “You’re trying to set a trap for me. Well, it’s simple. I didn't realize what was happening until he reached into his pockets and—" She stopped abruptly, then pressed her lips together.
"Go on," Kim encouraged.
"Until... the man I'm marrying... stood up and got down on one knee."
"She almost said it," Priya announced. "I saw her mouth forming the S."
"I didn't say it!"
"You wanted to."
"Wanting doesn't count. I have self-control."
"Say his name," Kim urged. "Just once. We all want to drink, anyway."
Aria laughed. "Fine. Sebastian. Sebastian, Sebastian, Sebastian."
Everyone drank, cheering.
My phone buzzed in my clutch, vibrating insistently against my hip.
I glanced at the screen. Femi.
The laughter continued around me, but I stepped away from the group, moving toward a quieter corner of the rooftop where the music was softer.
"Hello?"
"Issy." His voice was warm through the line, familiar in that particular way that made my chest tighten. "How's the bridal shower going?"
"It's good. We're in the middle of games right now."
"That sounds lovely. I wish I could see you." A pause, weighted. "I've been thinking about you."
I pressed my fingers to my temple. "Femi..."
"I know. The break. I'm respecting it, I promise." A pause. "I just wanted to tell you—Sebastian’s bachelor party is tonight. It’s actually going to be quite tame. Just a few drinks and some games. I thought you'd want to know. For Aria’s peace of mind."
"That's good. She'll be relieved."
"I kept thinking about you the whole time." His voice dropped. "Missing you. Wondering what you were doing. If you were thinking about me, too."
I closed my eyes, conflict warring inside me. Part of me wanted to say yes, wanted to tell him I'd made a mistake, that we should forget the break and try again.
