Hers to Keep (Irresistibly Bound 3)

“There’s only one way to find out,” Vicki said.

Lindsey just sighed.

The conversation lapsed into silence again. Vicki crossed her arms and looked out into the crowd. Lindsey sipped at her wine. Her eyes fell on Camilla, who was at the other end of the room, talking to April.

Suddenly, Vicki spoke. “It’s terrifying, isn’t it?”

“What?” Lindsey said.

“Love.”

Lindsey looked at Vicki. The blonde woman was staring in the same direction Lindsey had been looking. But Vicki was looking at April, her eyes filled with passion.

“It’s this incredible, impossible, overwhelming thing that drives you crazy, and upends your whole existence,” Vicki said. “It makes you wonder how a single person can cause so much turmoil.”

Was that what this feeling was? Love?

“But it’s worth it. Even if it means putting your heart on the line and risking everything, it’s so worth it.” Vicki turned to Lindsey. “Tell her. Before it’s too late. You’ll regret it otherwise.”

Lindsey’s pulse quickened. Across the room, Camilla and April were working their way over to where Lindsey and Vicki stood. Lindsey’s eyes met Camilla’s. Camilla gave her that warm smile that always made her heart melt.

“You’re right,” Lindsey said softly. “I have to tell her.”

Moments later, Camilla and April joined the two of them by the bar. Vicki picked up the two glasses of wine and handed one to April, who thanked her with a kiss. It was clear that there was only love there. Apparently, their argument earlier had meant nothing.

Camilla slipped an arm around Lindsey’s waist. “I hope you weren’t causing any trouble, Vicki.” The tone of her voice suggested she was only half joking.

“Don’t worry,” Vicki said. “My troublemaking days are over. Now, I only meddle for good reasons.” She took her girlfriend’s arm and tipped her head toward Lindsey. “I’ll see you later.”

As the two of them walked away, Vicki mouthed the words “tell her” to Lindsey behind Camilla’s back.

“Well, that was odd.” Camilla reached out and brushed Lindsey’s hair out of her face. “Are you having a nice time?”

“Yeah,” Lindsey said. “I am.”

Camilla examined Lindsey’s face. “Are you all right, darling?”

“Yeah. I drank a little too much, that’s all.” She’d only had a few glasses of wine, but right now, Lindsey felt like her world had been tipped on its axis.

“Oh?” Camilla took her hand. “Do you need some water? Or do you want to go lie down? There’s a spare room just down the hall.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Well, it’s getting late anyway. Should we head home?”

“Home sounds great,” Lindsey replied.

As she and Camilla said their goodbyes, Lindsey realized that for the first time, she’d called the manor home.

They spent the car ride back to the manor in near silence. Camilla seemed to accept that Lindsey had drunk too much. But that was just another excuse. As the wine wore off, Lindsey was left with a churning in her stomach that had nothing to do with being drunk.

As soon as they pulled up outside the manor, Lindsey practically ran inside. She knew she had to tell Camilla how she felt. Why was this so hard? When did she become so anxious and fearful? The old Lindsey would have shouted her feelings from a mountaintop.

“Lindsey?” Camilla’s footsteps echoed across the entrance hall. “Are you all right?”

Lindsey stopped by the stairs, her arms hugging herself in the cold. I’m fine, she tried to say. But she couldn’t lie anymore. Her feelings toward Camilla were so strong that they hurt.

“Lindsey.” Camilla took her hand and guided her to sit on the bottom step of the grand staircase. “What’s going on?”