Forbidden Love

“Forget your mother,” he said, nudging me.

I sighed. “Dad, this is something I have to fix.”

“Really?” he questioned in surprise.

“Truly. But as long as I know you have my back, I might be able to repair the damage I’ve caused.”

“You can count on me. My little girl is all grown up and fighting her own battles.”

“That’s what we do as Diamonds.”

“Sure is. Now come on, let’s enjoy the ball. You always have.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I said, watching him leave the room.

I flopped back down on the couch. The revelation of Jessica’s speech, the arrests of the Hamptons’ board members, and Mom wanting to set me up with Finigan. It was a lot to digest.

But the truth surrounded my heart like a warm blanket. The truth had not changed. My feelings for Barrett had not changed. I still loved him. Painfully so.

But did he still love me?

There was only one way to find out.

* * *

“What are you doing on your phone again?” Pepper asked, glammed up in a red sweetheart cupped dress, her black curls down her shoulders.

“He’s not calling me back,” I said, staring down at my phone at the unanswered calls. Okay, maybe I looked like a stalker at this point, but I really didn’t care. Since the press conference, I’d lost count of how many calls I’d put through to Barrett.

Then there was the stark reality he was happy without me.

“Look up and around. It’s such a beautiful night,” Grace said, pulling Dane’s arm closer to hers.

“I am,” I sighed, but I was slowly losing hope that Barrett would call me back. I don’t know why I had any in the first place after what my family did to him.

“Sometimes men need to come to their own conclusions, Lourde,” Olivia said, holding my hand before Ari once again cornered her into a conversation.

Since arriving yesterday, Olivia and the girls had been my rocks. And seeing Olivia in her beautiful dress seamlessly fitting into our friendship circle was the icing to a crummy situation.

Mom had strategically positioned Finigan at our table in place of Barrett, but I hadn’t said two words to him all night. Getting the hint, he’d left soon after entrees, cozying up with barbie lookalike herself, Ariya Crestwood, the daughter of the sugarcane king of America, Marty Crestwood—which was fine by me.

Connor returned, taking his seat next to Magnus. “God, do you think just once, Dad’s board could stop talking to me?”

“Has Alfred set a date yet on announcing his retirement?” Magnus asked.

“If he has, he hasn’t told me. But that means nothing. He doesn’t tell me much.”

“Just try to enjoy tonight,” Pepper said across the table, and all eyes set on her.

“What? We all should. It’s the annual ball. Why let anything affect you? Same goes for you, Lourde.”

“Yes, it’s certainly not the same without Barrett here, is it?” Connor stated, sighing.

“He’s been a fixture like the caviar table for years at the ball,” Ari added, coming up for air after chewing Olivia’s ear off.

“I know he donates a fortune, too,” Magnus added.

“I don’t care how much he donates. I don’t want him here for his money,’’ I said through clenched teeth.

“I know, sis. Of course, I know that.” Connor threw me a kind smile. “Look, auction time is about to start. Maybe Pepper is right. Let’s just try to enjoy the rest of the night. After all, tonight is all we have. There is no guarantee for tomorrow.”

“I’m not going to be up there with you tonight, Connor. I just can’t.”

“Mom will have a fit, Lourde. Are you sure?”

“I don’t care.”

“Fair enough. Well, I still need someone to help me out up there.”

He stared at Pepper and shrugged. “Want to be my sidekick?” Connor raised his eyebrows.

“Are you sure?” Pepper looked from Connor to me, and I shrugged.

“Why not?”

“Okay! Thanks, Lourde!” She shot up, and heat bloomed up her neck.

Was it me, or was there something going on there? Could Pepper be the reason my brother was in such a good mood lately? No. I shook my head. He wouldn’t, not after he grilled me with shacking up with his best friend. Plus, Connor was a player, and he didn’t deviate from blondes.

* * *