Page 18 of Forbidden Romeo
She snorted and shook her head. “No. Not when it comes to family and loss and grief?—”
“I have no family anymore,” I said, darkly.
Mom was my family.
And now she’s gone.
“Holden—” Katherine whispered, but I interrupted before she could say another word.
“My father doesn’t know the meaning of being a family. He’s made that clear. So I’m done basing my life decisions around him.”
Her eyes fell to where I was nervously fidgeting with my grandfather’s spinner ring and we both froze.
My grandfather. My father. They’re the same.
They’re both living breathing examples of who I never want to become.
Who I vow to never become.
I blinked back my tears and looked up into Katherine’s shiny blue eyes. “So… the show must go on. It will go on. You and I? We’re going to be the best Romeo and Juliet this school’s ever fucking seen.”
The smile that spread on her face was like a beam of light in a pitch black tunnel. It lulled me in, guided me to her. “Does that mean you’re coming to the Kennedy Center show?”
“Yes,” I said definitively. “I’m not letting you down again. Never again.”
She tilted her head, smiling softly as she held the makeshift ice pack to my injured hand. “Pretty strong words coming from a drunk guy with bloody knuckles.”
I met her gaze, my eyes tracing over her delicate features - the fair sprinkle of freckles across her nose, the wisps of blonde hair framing her face. In that moment, with her this close, I was struck by how truly beautiful she was, not only on the outside, but the inside, too.
“Well, how’s this for strong words… Katherine, you're the most incredible, talented, beautiful woman I've ever known.”
A little gasp escaped from her wet, cherry red lips. “Holden, are you saying…”
“I’m saying I want to be with you, Katherine. I want to do this with you. For real, this time. I lost my way briefly when my mom died, but now more than ever, I know what I want… and it’s you.”
I might have been drunk, but I meant every word. I reached out with my free hand to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering against her cheek. Katherine leaned into my touch, her lips parting slightly.
In the dim light of the bar, with our faces just inches apart, I could no longer fight the growing pull between us. I drew her closer, brushing my lips against hers in a gentle kiss. She melted against me, her arm circling my waist as she returned the kiss eagerly.
When we finally broke apart, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes shone. "Wow," she whispered.
I lifted my brow at her, a smile quirking my lips. “I tell you I want to be with you and all you say in return is wow?”
She cleared her throat, pulling back from me. “You’re drunk. And grieving. I’m not going to hold you to any of this?—”
I caught her chin gently with my good hand. “This is the first time since you and Duncan and Jill left my house that I feel any semblance of normal. I may be drunk, but I don’t need you to hold me to anything. You’re it for me, Katherine. I just… know. I’m your Romeo. And you’re my Juliet… Forever.”
“That doesn’t exactly end well for either one of them, Holden.”
I brushed my thumb over her lower lip, desire and tenderness welling up inside me. “Then we’ll rewrite the ending, you and me. Star-crossed lovers who beat all odds.” I held out my pinky finger to her. “That’s a promise.”
The svelte line of her throat bobbed as she hesitated for only a moment. Then, quickly, she hooked her pinky into mine with a nod. “Star-crossed lovers who beat all odds. If anyone can do it, it’s us, right?”
CHAPTER 8
I arrive at the beautiful high rise on Columbus Circle and glance at the scribbled address in my hands.
Missy’s apartment isn’t what I thought it’d be. Not even close. It took a bit of coaxing to get Maggie to give it to me, but I’d assured her I wouldn’t do anything to get her into trouble.