At some point in the early morning light, I’d asked Flynn to just tell me why he refused to consider the prospect of us together off the island. What was it about his life that made the thought soabhorrent? He hadn’t answered for such a long time that I was sure he was going to ignore the question altogether.
But to my surprise, he’d answered. But it had broken my heart and made me angry all at once.
“I am my father’s son, Ara. He was a big man, mean, rude, a bully. He lost his temper at the drop of a hat, and anyone who stood in his path became a victim of it. Many times, afterwards, he’d sob about how sorry he was that he lost control, that he didn’t mean to. Sometimes I even believe he meant it,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble. I’d held my breath, scared that if I moved an inch, he’d stop talking.
“But then the next time rolled around, and he’d be right back to using his fists on the people he loved the most. I have that same rage, Ara. It’s stuck in me like a shard of glass I can’t remove, and I won’t ever risk getting close to someone when that part of me comes out. I won’t let anyone get hurt because I was too selfish to let them go.”
My first instinct was to tell him he was being crazy, that he wasnothinglike his father, that he would never hurt someone he loved, but I knew it would fall on deaf ears. He was his own worst enemy, believing those words down to his soul. If I’d tried to refute his words, he would have shut down, telling himself that no one ever understood, so why bother explaining?
There had to be a way to get through to him, but I didn’t have a roadmap to help, and he wasn’t interested in letting me help him see the truth. His instincts to protect others stopped him from seeing the truth of who he was, and I wasn’t sure I knew how to help him find his true self.
“Ara?”
I sucked in a sharp breath and turned back to my friend, trying to answer her without divulging too much.
“Flynn sees himself differently than how the rest of us see him. And no amount of assurance from us is likely to get through tohim. He feels like he’ll taint me, that he’ll ruin the good in me because he’s toxic. Maybe one day he’ll see himself the way we all do, but until then, he’s made his choice, and there’s no forcing him to see reality.”
Sofia looked disappointed at my answer, but there was no changing the facts.
“But hey,” I said in a brighter tone. “That’s not for you to worry about. You are getting married this afternoon!”
Kate squealed in delight and Sofia smiled. It was genuine, but not what I’d expected from a bride on her wedding day.
“You okay?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yeah, I was just really rooting for you two.”
I reached over to squeeze her hand. Man, I had the best friends.
Three hours later, we’d all been well and truly pampered. Hair was done, manicures and pedicures done, and a makeup artist would be by in a couple of hours before we were to get dressed. I was sitting on Sofia’s bed and staring in awe at her wedding dress hanging on the hanger. I’d seen her in it already, and she was a vision in it, utterly stunning.
The laptop was sitting on the desk with a zoom call connected so Sofia’s sister and original maid of honor—Chloe—could join in on some of the festivities.
“So, Luke’s parents are going to be okay?” Sofia asked. Chloe’s in-laws had been in a horrible car accident several days ago when another car ran a red light. The doctors hadn’t been sure if they’d pull through or not.
Chloe sighed exhaustedly and ran a hand through her damp hair, but her smile was relieved. “It looks like they’ll make it, but they’re both going to be in the hospital for a week or so more yet, so we’re arranging schedules around their care.”
“I’m so glad they’re going to be okay,” I said, relieved.
“Same here, babe. Are you doing okay?” Kate asked as shepoured us all glasses of champagne.
“Better now. Luke is doing better too, and it sucked seeing him suffer so much. Being an only child in that scenario has to be tough,” Chloe admitted.
“At least he has you,” Sofia reminded.
“Here, here,” Kate said, raising her glass. We all joined in, and Chloe smiled.
I raised my drink in a toast. “And here’s to Sofia, the single most beautiful bride to date, my best friend, and one of my favorite people on the planet.”
She grinned, and Kate agreed loudly before we clinked glasses and took a sip. Chloe had her own glass to raise, and she downed the whole thing and sighed contentedly.
“Are you nervous?” I asked when I noticed Sofia couldn’t stay still.
“A little. I think it has more to do with the performative aspect. You know, walking down the aisle in front of everyone and the possibility of messing up my vows,” she answered.
“At least the weather is gorgeous,” Kate pointed out.
Sofia beamed. “That’s true. We’re due to get sunset photos after the wedding, and I can’t wait!”
