to Abigail and sat beside her on the floor.
“It’s not ruined,” he said, waving his hand over the petals. The rose magically came back together, the petals falling into their places. It was beautiful, just as it was meant to be.
“I hate feeling like this.” Abigail took the rose from Tristan. “He killed my father, and I shouldn’t be feeling his way.”
I felt the stirring of a strange emotion. Was it regret? No, it couldn’t be, because I was sure I didn’t know the feeling of regret—just like I told myself I couldn’t possibly fall in love with anyone!
“Everything is going to be all right,” Tristan promised. Even I, who didn’t believe him, felt like he was talking to me. “I promise you.”
“Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with you?” Abigail asked, looking into Tristan’s eyes, and then I took a step back as jealousy flared inside me like a struck match.
Fallen in love with him? She was in love with Tristan?
“Well, didn’t you?” Tristan asked quietly.
I felt like I wanted to hurt Tristan, at least tell him to leave her alone, but I was frozen. I just stood there, looking at how fragile both of them seemed. Honestly, I didn’t want to hear Abigail’s answer. I didn’t want to hear that the girl I was in love with was in love with someone else, and that someone happened to be Tristan.
“Does it matter?” Abigail asked as Tristan pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her.
I wanted to be the one comforting her, telling her how much she meant to me, but looking at her and Tristan, I saw what I had been too blind to see all along. Although she was sad, she was safe with Tristan.
And who was I kidding? She and Tristan had looked perfect together since day one. And as much as I hated to admit it, Tristan deserved her more than I did. As a matter of fact, if there was anyone in the bloody universe who deserved happiness and love, it was Tristan.
Watching Tristan and Abigail, I decided to go home. I wanted to call some friends, grab a six-pack of beer, order pizza, and then head off to a nightclub. That would have been what I’d do if I had any friends, a hankering for beer, and any dance skills.
I was only able to take one step toward the balcony when Abigail asked, “What do you want, Gideon?”
I turned around quickly because I was positive she couldn’t see me since I was invisible.
“Gideon? Is he here?” Tristan looked around him until his eyes met mine.
“He’s here,” Abigail whispered, looking around her as well. “I know it because I can feel him.”
Tristan stood, took Abigail’s hand, and pulled her to her feet.
I made myself visible. “I forgot you could do that,” I whispered, remembering that whenever I was near, Abigail’s heart pounded. Whether that was a good or a bad thing, I didn’t know.
BRIDGES AND WALLS
“Until now, I never believed when they said
love could get away with murder.”
Melody Manful
“What more do you want, Gideon?” Abigail asked. This time around she looked over her shoulder, and her eyes met mine. The moment our eyes connected, I knew I was the reason for the pain in her eyes, and it made me weak. Abigail looked beautiful as always, except her expression looked empty.
“Call me if you need me, Abby,” Tristan said and disappeared. I was sure he wasn’t far away. He was far enough to give us some privacy, but close enough to save Abigail if I decided to hurt her.
I approached Abigail but stopped when I was two steps from her. “I know you told me to stay away,” I started. I took a step closer, but she took one back. “I’m not going to hurt you, Abby,” I whispered, my voice trailing off.
“I beg to differ,” she said coldly.
Looking at her, I knew she didn’t want me around. As much as I wanted to stay and talk with her, I knew I had to leave.
“I’ll leave,” I turned to walk away.
“Wait!” Abigail called, and I stopped immediately. “Why did you come back?” she asked.
“I tried to stay away like you wanted, but I couldn’t.” I could hear the sadness in my own voice, and it sounded different to me. I took another step closer to her, and this time she didn’t move.
She whispered, “It’s only been two weeks.”
“But it feels like centuries.” I took another step forward.
“I’m trying to forget you, Gideon,”