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Except I am worried. He was really mad today, and I can’t blame Owen. It was a shitty thing for me to call Thalia, and I should tell Kiera that she needs to find someone else.
I’m an asshole. Owen was right about me and Thalia not being good together. I wanted more and she wanted to stay the same. The best thing to do is leave her alone like she wants after this.
I don’t know if that’s what I want, though. It’s selfish of me to still want Thalia in my life when all we do is hurt each other. I’ve already lost so many people, I don’t know how to lose another person.
Zeus starts to whimper next to me, nudging my leg with his nose for more pets. Kiera looks up at the sound and smiles as I give Zeus attention. My heart races slightly at the sight of her smile. “Make sure you don’t forget to call the seamstress; also, please remind Owen that he needs to get fitted too.”
“I won’t forget, I promise.”
I seem to be making a lot of those these days.
Her phone starts to ring and she picks it up immediately. “Thalia! Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly.”
My attention snaps up to listen immediately, and Kiera gives me a thumbs-up before putting it on Speaker so I can hear. “Hi, Kiera. I’m sorry I missed your call. I was working on setting up my gallery; we’re opening in a few weeks so I’ve been pretty busy. Sebastian said you were interested in having me photograph your wedding?”
If Owen hadn’t told me that she and Blake got drunk last night then I probably would have believed her when shesaid she was working. She always got the worst hangovers, which is how I’m guessing she spent her morning.
“That sounds really cool! I’d love to come check it out sometime if that’s okay? I’m a huge fan of your work, like you’re seriously so talented. It doesn’t have to be now of course, just, um, let me know when you’re planning on opening,” Kiera rambles nervously, but the smile of relief on her face is genuine. I feel like I might be sick. I didn’t think this through at all. “I’ve been begging Seb for weeks to give me your number because I’ve been dead set on having you. My wedding book even has pictures from Owen and Blake’s wedding in it for inspiration.”
Thalia chuckles, clearly uncomfortable with the praise. “Wow. I, um, don’t quite know what to say. That’s really nice of you. Penelope and I are here most days so if you ever have free time, sure. I could definitely use some feedback on where everything’s being hung.” That’s code for,Please don’t, but I can’t say no without sounding like a bitch.It might have been years since we were together, but I still know her.
“I have some time this Friday if you’re free? I could bring lunch and we can talk in person about everything?” She smiles at me with a hopeful expression.Oh fuck.Friday is soon. Maybe Kiera won’t want me to go.
“That,uh,sounds good. How does one o’clock sound?”
Kiera fist-pumps, and I can’t help but chuckle because she’s so happy about this. That’s what I need to remind myself of when I start to question why I asked this of Thalia.
“One sounds great. Just send me the address and I’m there. Thank you so much for this. I know it might be a little awkward because you and Seb dated forever ago, but I really appreciate it. I know you don’t normally photograph people, but it just…it means the world to us, and to me.”
“Please don’t mention it. I’ll see you Friday, Kiera. Congratulations on the wedding.”
After Thalia hangs up, Kiera chatters on for a while about the wedding and how excited she is for Friday. Meanwhile, I can’t help but feel like I was punched in the gut when Thalia said congratulations.
I should have apologized to her when I called. I’m not proud of how I acted at the funeral, so I can’t blame Thalia for asking me to leave her alone.
I plan to keep the promise that I made. It’s not fair to Thalia or Kiera if I don’t.
CHAPTER FOUR
Thalia
THIS IS A terrible idea. Penelope’s only told me so a dozen times. Between Blake and Owen combined, I’m sure I’ve heard it from them just as many times. I haven’t even kept track of how many times I’ve almost picked up the phone to call Kiera back to tell her I changed my mind because I unexpectedly have to go out of town and I’ll be gone until after they’re married.
It could almost be believable, but then I remember how excited Kiera was when I called her back. I can’t cancel on her now. It’s going to suck, but afterward I never have to see Sebastian again. I just need to get through the next few months.
God, she calls him Seb. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone call him that before her. He’s always gone by Bash, Walker, or Sebastian.Never Seb.
I guess it should just serve as another reminder that things are different now, and they’ll never go back to the way they were.
I put my hands on my hips as I look around the gallery; most of my favorites are already hung, but there are a few Ican’t bring myself to put up quite yet. Each of these portraits is a memory, but some of them I’m not ready to face yet.
A part of me was hesitant to even put up the one from Blake and Owen’s wedding. I couldn’t resist because it was taken during their first dance. She’s smiling at him brightly, and he’s looking at Blake like she’s the only person in the world. They make each other so happy.
I’m quite certain that Blake is the only person patient enough to put up with him. It must have something to do with her little brother and sister. I’m certainly not patient as my rash decision making could tell pretty much anyone I’ve ever spoken to.
I wander into the back room to grab a different portrait for a wall. I have a few minutes before Kiera is supposed to be here. I gave Penelope the day off much to her dismay because I know she was hoping to eavesdrop on the meeting.
My stomach is all twisted with nerves, but it’s not like this is my first time meeting Kiera. She’s nice and pretty. In fact, I think we’d probably be friends if things hadn’t ended so poorly between me and Bash. Kiera’s been nothing but polite every time I’ve been at my parents’ for the holidays, even when Sebastian and I would bicker. I haven’t necessarily gone out of my way to be nice to her when she’s at my parent’s house for holidays, but I haven’t been mean either. I tend to just ignore her or avoid the house if I know they’re going to be there. She’s not the one I’m avoiding, though. Sebastian is.