Page 80 of The Heart You Kept

I look up at the stage with renewed determination, this stops now.

“Three cheers for River,” Malory, River’s housemate calls with a giant beer stein in her hand. The table erupts into laughter as they cheer.

As the night’s gone on, I feel better. This isn’t who I am and I’m not a victim here, and I don’t know why I’m acting like one. It’s time for me to pull on my big-girl panties and take control of the narrative.

“I’m just going to the ladies’,” I tell them as I push my chair out. I grab my purse and walk outside; I scroll through the numbers on my phone until I get to the one I’m looking for.

Mr. Doe

I hit call. Ring, ring…ring, ring.

EDWARD

Orange and red flickers across my face, the warmth of the flame matching the scotch as it goes down. I lift the crystal tumbler and take a long sip. It’s late and I’ve been sitting here for hours, staring into space.

Desperately trying to get a hold on this…attraction.

She’s all I fucking think about.

I drain my glass and fill it again; I add ice and it sloshes over the sides.

My phone lights up with the name:

Alora

She’s calling me, my heart picks up with anticipation. Instinctively, I reach for it before I stop myself midair, no.

Yes.

“Hello.”

“Edward, hi. It’s Alora.”

“I know who it is.”

“Right…umm.”

I wait on the line. “Yes,” I snap, impatient.

“I don’t think we should see each other again.”

“I agree. I’ve already donated the prize to the Royal Scholarship Institute,” I lie. “They will be in touch with you about the finer details moving forward.”

“Oh.” She listens for a beat as if unsure what to say.

Time’s up.

“Goodbye, Alora, it was nice seeing you again.” I hang up the phone and drag my eyes back to the fire.

ALORA

“A weekend with my favorite people on earth is just what I needed.” I smile as I hug River, Raylyn and then Dad.

“Love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you too, Dad.” I grip him just that bit harder.

Airport farewells are never fun.