Protecting What's Mine

urance that I won't be thrown to the wolves this evening. Just k

reets everyone warmly before introducing me-or reintroducing me in some cases-to his friends, some of whom were friends with my parents as well. To my surprise, i

ms all of his guests, drawing the more reserved people out of their shells by reminding them

ight up. Before I can turn around to see what-or who-has captured h

last surpr

xedos circulate the room with trays of fancy little canapes and glasses of Veuve Clicquot. There are at least a hu

my dress, shoes

that I'm in a fai

inic's orc

s evening. True to his word, Dominic hasn't left my side. His arm has been casually draped a

ldn't po

moment. The warmth of his hands burn into my shoulders, grounding me and squashing the

hl

queal and flies toward me. I do the same. Colliding midway, we

still shrieking and reeling at

nvited me!

inch of my face as I glance over at him and mouth, t

o my life means more th

e kno

o you can catch up. I'll have some champagne

t her shoulders in thick, shiny waves. You'd think she would have a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose since her complexion is so fair, but there aren't an

arely suppressed mischief. We may not have been in contac

ts within me like an

s that lead to the terrace. The night is perfect for sitting and enjoyin

tip of my tongue when Chloe leans into me and says in a sly tone, "Well, I see Uncle Dominic is still as handsome

e. God, but I love it. I can't believe how much I've missed her friendship. Even though we'v

ears. In a way, we were used to the separation, the yawning expanse of time that continually sat b

around her, pulling her in for another warm hug. My apology immediately bubbles up to t

elf, refusing all offers of comfort. For a while, it had felt too painful to live and breathe. For my own sanity, I'd cut everything a

sten, I can only imagine just how crappy everything was for you. I wish there had been something I could have done to help. Evelyn

Chicago. There had been no easy way to visit for a weekend.

closer would have changed the outcome. After my parents' deaths, I had been left reeling. Grief-st

e only two people who truly understood the grief the other one was feeling. When my roommate grew concerned because I was no lon

ng. We lived there for about three months. He flew back to the office when necessary. Otherwise, he worked from the hou

till heartache, the pain isn't as sharp and piercing as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, it hurts. Losing them

ess. "So, Dominic mentioned that you've moved back permanently.

y attention on Chloe. On getting reacquainted with her. "Yes,

out a mile from there. Maybe we can g

es to expand. "I

toward me. "So, tell me all about Dominic. Has

inic. Truth be told, when we were both fourteen, the pair of us would watch him wi

in makes me feel lighter. Younger. Freer.

s really good to see you, Chloe. I'm

ave missed it for the world. W

to finding out every single detail regarding