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We stood at the edge of the fountain, him looking at the lights of the tree and me looking at him. He was no longer the boy who’d broken my heart, but a man I no longer knew. He wasn’t mine and never would be.
CHAPTER 2
AIDEN
I couldn’t believe I was standing next to Fiona. I never thought we’d be in the same room again, much less get an opportunity to make things right. I’d resigned myself to regretting my life’s choices when it came to her.
I thought I was doing the right thing in pushing her away. The desire to be a man worthy of her love was the only thing I could think about. I needed to do it on my own, and the only way I could be the man she deserved was to enlist.
She’d wanted to marry me and be by my side. But it was something I’d needed to do on my own, and I couldn’t be the one responsible for her quitting school. I was shortsighted because I’d made her promises, and I hadn’t kept them.
I’d broken her heart. When she realized I didn’t want to marry her, she’d pressed her lips into a straight line, her eyes hard, and said I wouldn’t get a second chance with her.
I hadn’t worried about it at the time. I couldn’t see past making myself into a man, but now I had so many regrets. I’d thrown her away, not realizing how lucky I was to find love at such a young age. I assumed we couldn’t last, but now I wasn’t so sure.
I looked over at her, catching her watching me. “I’ve missed you.”
Her breath hitched, and she looked away. “You can’t say things like that.”
The only sound was the water in the fountain. Everyone was at the party, and it was too cold for a walk in the gardens. We were alone.
“Why not?” I couldn’t help but ask, knowing I was about to get whiplash. Fiona never held back what she was thinking and feeling. It was what I’d loved most about her when we’d dated.
“You don’t have that right anymore. You broke us.”
I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “If I could go back and change things—”
“What’s done is done. There’s no need to bring up the past.” Fiona’s voice was hard and unyielding.
I hated that I had to let it go. That I couldn’t make it up to her. I had so many hopes about how this meeting would go now that she was here. I should have known she’d shut me out.
“Can I say I’m sorry for how I handled things?”
Fiona nodded tightly, and I took her hand, guiding her to a nearby bench. I grabbed a blanket that we kept in a container for times just like this. I’d never had a need for it, but it was Marley’s idea. She liked to offer small things to improve the guests’ stays. I’d never been more grateful for her foresight.
I draped the blanket on Fiona’s lap. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
Fiona’s face tightened. “It was a long time ago.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that I’m sorry for how things went down. I was so sure of myself. So clear in my path.”
Fiona laughed without any humor. “It’s too bad you didn’t clue me in.”
I sighed. “I was worried you’d talk me out of it.”
“You promised—” Fiona’s anguished eyes met mine, and she broke off. Then she stood, letting the blanket fall to the ground. “I can’t do this.”
“Fiona—wait.” But she walked away, through the trees and into the maze. The path we’d taken was clear. She wouldn’t get lost, but I wanted to talk to her.
I picked up the blanket and put it away. By the time I followed her, she was gone. I went inside, hoping to see her in the ballroom or even the bar, but she was nowhere to be found.
“You okay?” Knox asked me from where he sat on the bar stool.
I gritted my teeth. “I will be.”
“I heard Daphne’s sister is back.”
“Fiona rented a room for the holidays.” I resisted the urge to check the dates she’d booked it for. How long did I have before she’d be gone from my life again? Would it be like this every year? She’d drop in for a visit, and I’d hope that I could properly express my regrets, but she’d run from me?
