Chapter Nine
Lachlan checked himself in the mirror one last time before leaving his room. He wasn’t sure why he was bothering. He’d never even wanted to go to the damn ball, and now that April wasn’t going he didn’t see the point. The only reason he’d bothered to get dressed at all was because some small part of him still hoped that April would show up.
He’d spent the entire day trying to figure out what the hell had happened the night before. She’d been on edge since the moment he’d walked in the door and then somehow things just got so out of control and she was screaming at him to leave.
He was sure it had something to do with Marie, but he just couldn’t figure out why April was so protective of her sister. Sure April had looked after her since she was six years old, but Marie was practically an adult now. What harm would it do for April to have her photo taken?
When the elevator finally arrived at his floor and the doors opened, Lachlan allowed himself to feel the small bubble of hope hiding in his gut as he stepped in. The doors closed behind him and the anticipation grew. When the elevator stopped only one floor down, Lachlan clenched his fists in frustration until the doors closed again, only to stop again on the first floor. By the time the doors opened in the lobby, Lachlan’s nerves were strung so tight a light breeze could snap them.
Then he saw her.
The air in his lungs rushed out of him in a hot, heavy breath and he almost doubled over in relief. He tugged the collar of his shirt, trying to give himself breathing room and he could feel the heat rising off his neck. She was stunning, every delectable curve displayed to perfection. He wanted to grab her hand and drag her back to his room. To hell with the ball.
When she turned around, a small frown creased his eyes. Her face looked different somehow, her hair and her makeup were all wrong. She was still April, but not his April; she looked a little bit too sophisticated, too worldly. Fear bubbled up inside him as long-dormant memories of Samantha’s radical change surfaced. Lachlan pushed aside his concern and just allowed himself to drink in the sight of April.
She was staring at the elevator, but her eyes were unfocused as she scanned the people getting off before him, hopelessness pouring out of her. His eyes flickered to the clock above the check-in desk.
Shit. 6:05. He was late.
April shifted her gaze to him, but by the blank look on her face, he could tell she wasn’t really seeing him, not until he walked directly toward her. He watched as recognition lit up her eyes and relief flooded her face. It warmed his heart even as he mentally kicked himself for leaving it so late to come down. The truth was, he hadn’t believed she’d show, and he didn’t want to be the one standing alone, waiting like a fool for the woman who wasn’t going to come.
“Hi,” he said awkwardly, shoving is hands into his pockets.
“Hi.” Her lips were trembling and she was looking at him with such vulnerability that he couldn’t stop himself from reaching for her. He drew her close, wrapping his arms firmly around her waist as she leaned her forehead on his chest.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I kicked you out.” At her words, the tension he’d been holding in his shoulders all day loosened, and it seemed marginally easier to breathe.
“Mr. Kennedy?” A short, bald man in a suit was standing off to the side as if he was reluctant to intrude.
“Yes?”
“My name is Edward, sir. I’ll be your driver this evening. I’m parked out front whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank you Edward,” he said, and the driver quickly scurried away. “You still want to go?” he asked April, pulling back slightly so he could see her face. The hesitation in her eyes was obvious, but she nodded anyway and he felt more of the day’s tension leave him. Whatever it was that had her so afraid, whatever was driving this need for privacy, he understood she was making an effort. For him. A small smile played on his lips as he savoured the thought. “Let’s go then.” He took her hand and guided her out of the building and through the limo door Edward held open. Before sliding in beside her, he turned back to the driver.
“We don’t want to be dropped off out front. Please drop us at the catering entrance instead.”
“Yes sir,” Edward said.
Lachlan slid across the back seat to sit beside April, reaching out to take her hand.
“What made you change your mind?” he asked quietly. He’d told himself all day that if she met him in the lobby, he wouldn’t ask any questions, wouldn’t even mention their fight at all. But now, sitting beside her and feeling the distance still between them, he needed to know.
“David,” she said simply.
“Ah, yes, he can be persuasive.” Lachlan made a mental note to call David tomorrow and thank him.
April chuckled derisively. “He told me if I was too afraid to be myself, then he would simply make me someone else.”
“I don’t want anyone else.” He couldn’t help the alarm in his voice. He remembered all too clearly how Samantha had changed her personality just by changing her clothes, and he couldn’t bear it if April did the same.
His words seemed to make an impact and her eyes snapped to him. “What?”
“I just mean, I like you the way you are. I don’t think you should be anyone else.”
“Oh,” she said, visibly relaxing. “Don’t worry, it’s all coming off the moment we get back to the hotel. I hate wearing this much makeup.”
“Good.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. They sat in silence and Lachlan couldn’t think of anything to say that didn’t involve talking about their argument the night before. Eventually, he decided to prepare her for their exit from the limo.
“I’ve asked Edward to go around the side to the catering entrance. I figured you could get out first and go in. I’ll wait a couple of minutes to make sure no photographers are hanging about, then I’ll go in.”
A few minutes later, the limo stopped and Edward held the door open for her. Having heard the entire conversation, he already knew his role without needing to be told, so he escorted April to the rear entry. A moment later, he returned for Lachlan.
“I didn’t see any photographers,” he said as he opened the door.
“Thanks.” Lachlan appreciated the man’s efforts at helping them but felt he needed to offer an explanation. “April likes her privacy.”
“It’s none of my concern sir, I’m happy to help. I can keep the car parked here if you’d prefer. This is where they direct the overflow of drivers anyway.”
Lachlan nodded his approval and then followed April inside. She was waiting outside the function room at the top of the stairs, so he bounded up to meet her. He’d just reached the top step and was about to cross the landing when someone blocked his path.
“Lachlan,” Samantha cooed in that breathy sing-song voice that irritated the hell out of him. “Are you out all alone again?” she asked, running her hand down his chest. She was thinner than he’d ever seen her and her dress plunged so deeply down her front that he was almost certain she was going commando. For the millionth time, he was grateful she was no longer his concern.
“Uh, no actually,” he said, stepping out of her reach.
“Oh, really?” she asked as he walked around her. “Lachlan! I’m talking to you!”
He reached April’s side and quickly dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Sorry,” he whispered in her ear before turning to face Samantha. She stood with her hands on her hips, or at least where her hips should have been. She’d lost so much weight her collar bones stuck out sharply giving the phrase flesh and bone renewed significance.
“Samantha, this is April. April, Samantha.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” April smiled and held out her hand, but Samantha ignored it.
“I don’t remember you being so rude Lachlan. Since when do you just walk away from me?” There was an edge of hysteria in her voice and Lachlan had had enough.
“You know all abou
t rudeness Samantha. Come on April, she’s not worth a handshake.” He gripped the hand she still held out to Samantha and steered her through the crowd and into the ballroom beyond. There were dozens of tables scattered around the edge of the room with a large dance floor in the centre. The room was decorated in yellow and white, from the ribbons to flowers to the table cloths, and it gave the room a sunny atmosphere, despite the darkness outside.
“God, she can be so bitchy,” he cursed when they finally found a quiet spot on the edge of the room. “I’m really sorry about that, I didn’t know she’d be here.”
“Lachlan, she’s a big girl. You don’t need to apologise for her.” April put her hand on his arm. It was the first contact she’d initiated all evening, and he wished it hadn’t been because of his ex.
“It seems like I’m always apologising for her. I mean I was always doing it before we broke up, but then even after I felt like I had to apologise for having been with her in the first place.” He sighed and dragged a hand down his face. “This isn’t how I pictured this night going.”
She dropped her hand from his arm, and he felt a wall go up between them again. He frowned down at her.
“April, I wish you’d tell me what I’m doing wrong here,” he groaned softly, glancing around to make sure he wasn’t being overheard. “I mean a couple of nights ago everything was great. I know last night didn’t go so well, but I figured you being here meant that was over, that we’d moved past that stupid argument. But you’re still pulling away from me. Why?”
The tremor was back in her lips and her breathing was all shaky, but she held herself together. “Is this really the place to be having this conversation?” she hissed at him and Lachlan had to admit she had a point.
“I’m sorry,” he said, and lowered his head, resting his forehead on hers, gripping her waist tightly between his hands. “You’re right. This isn’t the place, but we need to figure this out, April.”
She nodded but he wasn’t sure if she was accepting his apology or agreeing to talk about this later. Either way, he let the subject drop.
“How about I go get us a drink?” he asked, needing a few moments to compose himself.
“Sure, that’d be great.” She smiled, but the effort didn’t reach her eyes.