Promised (The Promised Series)

friend. I would’ve had to live the rest of my life knowing I wasn’t there for her when she needed me most.” Her eyes plead with me to understand, but nothing she says is going to accomplish that.
    “It didn’t happen though.” I try to reason with her.
    “But it could have. And I can’t live my life knowing that one of the people I love the most won’t have me to turn to in times like that.”
    I thump my hands against my chest. “What about me? I love you and I thought you loved me. But you can do this to me?”
    “I do love you.” Her voice is broken. “But I have to think of everyone else this will affect.”
    “Then what was today?” I demand, pointing at the Challenger that still holds the supplies from what I thought was our perfect getaway today. “Why give me that beauty when you knew you were going to take it away?”
    She wraps her arms around her middle in an effort to stop herself from trembling from holding back her tears. “I wanted to give you the last piece of me I had to offer. I need the memory to get me through.”
    I pull her into my arms so I can hold her. “Damn it, Wyn. Please don’t do this.”
    She buries her face in my neck and lets the tears loose. I continue to hold her as she cries. I wish I could say something that’ll change her mind, but I know her mind is set. So I dread when her tears run out, because when they do, I’ll have to let her go.
    She moves back enough to reach up and touch her lips to mine. “Please remember that even though I have to do this, I love you and always will.”
    I frame her face with my hands and pull her lips back to mine. Where her kiss was gentle, mine was hard and demanding. If this is going to be the last time I feel her mouth against mine, I’m going to make it a memorable one. “I’ll always love you, Arwyn Scott.” I vow against her lips.
    “Goodbye, Linc.” She whispers right before she pulls out of my arms and climbs into her car. When her car is out of sight, I fall to my knees with the realization she’s really gone. Leaving me with a heart shattered into pieces so small and damaged that it’ll never heal.
    May
    Chapter 28 – Wyn
    ~Done~
    “You look beautiful.” Marley whispers into my ear, hand on my shoulder, her eyes on mine in the dressing table mirror. I know she can see the blank look in mine. The fire they use to hold, went out the day I walked away from the life I wanted with Linc. We’ve avoided each other at school the last few weeks, so I haven’t seen him since that day. I really wish things would’ve turned out different, but they didn’t. And this is my life now. The soon to be wife of a gypsy man I don’t love. Maybe my parents are right and the love will grow in time. Though seeing that I’ve experienced the real thing, I highly doubt it. It’s just not there with Shay and me.
    I place my hand over hers and work up a weak smile. “Thanks to you.” She beams at the compliment and tucks a stray curl back into place.
    “I had a lot to work with.” The girl is a savant with hair and make-up and she definitely worked her magic on me. My curls are piled into an elaborate up-do of curls, twists, and braids. It compliments my Grecian style gown perfectly. My make-up alone should be shot and hung in a museum, seriously a work of art. She did smokey eyes with a pop of purple, went light on the blush, and nude lipstick topped with a clear gloss. The dramatic touch to my eyes makes the green color seem almost unearthly. I inherited my looks from my mom and done up like this makes that blaringly obvious. I could pass for her clone or at the very least her younger sister.
    At the thought of my mom, I look for her. She’s sitting with the gypsy triplets, chatting away. All four of them are already dressed and ready to go. I expected her to be all up in my face today, helping me get ready, shouting orders. But surprisingly, she’s stayed away and kept quiet.
    Marley squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. She’ll realize what she’s missing out on and then she won’t give you a second of peace.”
    “Yeah, you’re right.” I turn around in my seat and look around. “Where’s Dani?”
    “She took Lil Wyn out to change her diaper and probably to check on Adam.” She informs me as she moves to gather up her make-up and hair supplies. My beautiful, little niece has been doing great since she was released from the hospital. The whole family has been spoiling her with attention, me