Fragile Longing

“Thank you so much. You’re the best brother I could ever wish for.”

I kissed her temple then straightened.

Sofia approached us. For the first time since the party, she looked at me like she’d looked at me in the past, as if I was a man beyond his sins. It hadn’t been my intention, but seeing it gave me hope that Sofia would forget what had happened. Of course, it was hypocritical of me to expect her to lay the past to rest so quickly when I still clung to it. She lightly touched my shoulder, a silent praise. “Your dance was beautiful,” she said to Emma’s obvious embarrassment. Then she sank down beside Emma with an audible sigh and slipped off her high heels.

“You need to dance with Mom now,” Emma reminded me. My life organizer. Mom was indeed heading my way, determined to follow etiquette. I, however, was reluctant to leave Emma.

“Is it okay if I sit beside you for a bit?” Sofia asked Emma, who bit her lip. “You should dance. You don’t have to spend time with me. It’s okay. I don’t mind watching.”

Sofia leaned closer to Emma and began massaging her feet. “To be honest, my feet need some rest. My high heels are killing me.”

Emma’s smile brightened.

I could have kissed Sofia. Her kindness was impressive and made my own selfish acts of the past all the more despicable.

After a few more dances, I managed to escape the dancefloor and went in search of Samuel. I found him in the courtyard of the hotel, typing on his phone. He tensed and looked up at my approach.

“We need to talk,” I muttered, my voice clipped.

One of his eyebrows darted up in that annoying way he had. His cellphone flashed with a message. I didn’t see the words but didn’t miss the kiss emojis. I got right in his face. “I hope that isn’t what I think it is.”

He narrowed his eyes at me and slid his phone into his pocket. “How about you mind your own fucking business, Danilo?”

“You’re marrying my sister in two weeks. I won’t let you disrespect her by messing with other women, understood?”

He sneered. “I don’t give a fuck what you want. I’m not married to your sister yet, so what I do in the next two weeks is my fucking business. And if I remember correctly, you fucked quite a few blondes in a very media-effective way over the years. What do you call that, if not disrespecting Sofia?”

He had a point, but I would not admit it. “That was a long time before the wedding, not to mention that I didn’t intend for anything to get to the press.”

“At least I keep my fucking private,” Samuel snapped.

I ignored his comment. “And what the fuck were you thinking letting Emma sit all by herself while everyone danced? As her fiancé, it’s your duty to keep her company. She’ll realize you don’t want her if you keep it up.”

“I went over to her and asked her if she wanted my company, but she told me to go dance. And maybe you should focus on making sure Sofia is happy. She is your wife, and so far, you’ve been a shitty fiancé. I don’t have much hope for your abilities as a husband. It was fucking embarrassing how you kept chasing those blonde girls like a little pussy who can’t get over being dumped.”

I slammed my elbow against his throat. “Maybe I just like fucking blondes, Samuel. I’m not the one who’s been moping for years now because my sister chose the enemy and not her supposed brotherly soulmate.”

Samuel shoved me back, and soon we were grappling.

“What are you doing?” Sofia’s horrified voice made us jump apart.

I cleared my throat and straightened my suit and tie. Samuel did the same, but not without sending me a death glare. As if that had any effect on me.

“Why are you fighting like a pair of five-year-olds?” Sofia asked, stepping between us as if she was worried we might be at each other’s throat again if she didn’t.

“We just had a small dispute. Nothing for you to worry about,” I said.

She shook her head and glanced at Samuel. “Maybe you should go to Emma.” Her voice was stern, and to my surprise, he left without another word.

Sofia turned to me. Now that we were alone, some of her confidence waned. She was definitely nervous about being alone with me.

“This shouldn’t have happened at our wedding,” I said as my version of an apology.

“You’re right. There are quite a few shouldn’t-have-happeneds in our past. Maybe we should try to minimize them.”

“Things aren’t always as easy as you might think. The world isn’t black and white.”

She huffed. “I know what the world is like, don’t worry. I’m not a naïve eleven-year-old anymore.”