Page 95 of Pink and Country

Mrs. Benson leaned in, and we air-kissed. She squeezed my forearm with her frail and pale hand. In her long champagne silk gown and with her sandy-blonde hair tied in a low bun, she looked as beautiful as I remembered.

“You all know one another?” Carter asked, his eyes wide, rubbing the back of his neck, confusion in his gaze. He locked his eyes on mine, waiting for me to say something.

“How do you know Mr. and Mrs. Benson?” I asked, trying to move the conversation away from me. I sipped my champagne, trying to act as if nothing was bothering me. Who was I kidding? Knots tied my stomach, and cold sweat beaded on my nape.

“I’d performed at their fundraisers before. Did you know they were the hosts tonight?”

I placed my hand over my mouth to avoid spitting my champagne.

Ice replaced the blood in my veins. I cringed. Was tonight’s fundraiser part of the foundation they started after Travis’s death? I felt stupid for being so clueless.

Carter’s knuckles grazed the side of my face. I sucked in a breath. He watched me. Something passed in his eyes. Worry? I had no idea.

“April?”

Mr. Benson jumped in, trying to explain our relationship. “We’ve known April a long time, Mr. Hills. April is—was—”

“Right. I dated their son back in college,” I said, hoping my simple explanation would help put all of us at ease. No need to explain our relationship tonight. My thundering heartbeat echoed in my head. The heel of my hand rubbed my chest, trying to relieve my discomfort. Could this conversation be over just yet?

Mrs. Benson mouthed a “thank you” my way. No need to dig up the past here and now.

“How do you know Mr. Hills, dear?” My cheeks warmed up, the question putting us on the hot seat.

The Bensons must’ve noticed my queasiness because Travis’s dad added, “April, it all happened a long time ago. We were wrong to blame it on you. We’re sorry it took us this many years to come to terms with the reality of everything.”

Tears pricked the back of my eyes. I inhaled. I refused to cry here and now. I had shed enough tears for a night.

Carter’s arm circled my waist, and he pulled me to him. A tad. But enough to inject me with a dose of strength. Travis’s parents exchanged a subtle glance. Yeah, I noticed.

With deep wrinkles around her mouth and permanent sadness etched in her eyes, Mrs. Benson had aged two decades in the last couple of years. She grabbed my hands, and I felt the tremors in hers.

“April, I know it’s a long shot, but we’d really like for you to come over for dinner someday. Donald and I have been wanting to reach out to you for a long time, but we weren’t sure how. Maybe tonight fate is giving us a chance to make things right again.” My lips pursed, but she continued before I could add anything. “Don’t answer now. Think about it. That day, we lost both of you, dear. We’ve never forgiven ourselves. We hope you’ll give us a chance to make amends.” I pinched my lips together in a thin line, keeping my emotions in check. Mrs. Benson tapped my hand with hers and led her husband away. I clamped my drooping jaw shut.

What the hell just happened?

Carter swiveled to face me. “You’re all right?”

I nodded, my mind racing.

“What was that about? What did they do to you?” Carter asked, a worrisome glare in his enticing gray irises.

“Long story. I’m not sure reconnecting with them is a good idea. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about it another time.” I squeezed his hand. “Let’s put our pasts behind us for a couple of hours and enjoy tonight. Besides, I have the most handsome date, and I want to savor every second by his side.”

“Then follow me, you’re about to meet Ron Presley.”

My eyes flared, and Carter stifled an amused chuckle.

“The producer?”

“The one and only. We’re friends. Come on.” Carter knitted our fingers together and led the way. My mind wandered to my past. The one I’d been trying so hard to put behind me.

* * *

Junior year - Stuart University

“We should cancel. Or fly far away from here. What do you think? You and me. All alone for a week. Hawaii? Could be fun. Bora Bora? Fiji? Whichever. As long as you’re with me.” Travis tickled me. “C’mon, April, pick a destination. Somewhere warm and sunny so I can ogle you in a tiny bikini.”

“We’re not running away. Not during the holidays. Your mom has been calling me nonstop for the last month to make sure we’d show up. I promised her we’d even sleep over. You should’ve heard her, Travis. She sounded excited.”