My eyes widened. “Who’s not getting away with what?”
“Jamie’s not getting away with marrying Sofia when he loves you.”
I shook my head, a sad smile creeping onto my lips. She wanted to fix everything for me and I loved her for that, but she needed to accept that it was over. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, I really do. But did I ask you to fight my battles?”
“No—”
“Don’t you think after everything we’ve been through, if I needed help I’d come to you?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts! This is a royal ball.” I pointed beyond her left shoulder. “And you’ve got a real-life prince over there working so hard to get your attention that he looks like he’s trying to land a plane. Go dance with him! Have fun!”
Kenna glanced behind her and Duncan made another broad beckoning gesture, his face lighting up with enthusiasm when he saw he’d gained her attention.
“He looks like he’s provoking a bull.” A small chuckle slipped from her mouth before she turned back around. “I don’t think I should leave you.”
Wrapping my arms around her in a bear hug, I whispered, “If I need you, I’ll come find you.”
“Are you sure?”
I pulled back and in a sing-song voice attempted the words to one of her favorite songs. “There’s only this. Only tonight. So let go. Find out if it’s right.”
She burst out laughing. “Before you go all Rent on me, it goes both ways.”
My smile faltered. “Kenna, there comes a time when admitting defeat becomes the logical choice—”
She waved her hand in a dismissive motion. “Is there a wedding ring on his finger?”
“No, but—”
“No buts. Fight for him!”
My best friend had always been a fighter. She single-mindedly pursued her dreams, whether they were the right ones or not. But that wasn’t me. Whenever things got messy, I preferred to paste on a smile and walk—or run—the other way. It’s how I’d protected myself all my life. Between fight or flight, I definitely preferred flight. Just like Dad.
The realization hit me like a sledgehammer, causing me to slump against the edge of the table behind me. I resisted the urge to grab my aching chest as I pretended to consider my friend’s call to action. My father was a weak, selfish coward. Did that make me one too?
With effort, I focused on Kenna’s searching gaze. “Okay, I’ll try,” I conceded to shut her up. “But we had a deal, remember?”
Kenna glanced at Duncan, then back at me, my fearless friend’s eyes full of uncertainty. “I only promised for tonight.”
“Fine. Now go enjoy it!” I accented my words with a sharp shove that sent her stumbling in Duncan’s general direction. If I couldn’t face my own fears, at least I could help my friend face hers.
Duncan rushed forward with a grin and took her hand—and she let him keep it. As they walked away, I hoped she would keep other things, like her promise to give him a fair chance. I felt sure that if she did, she’d change her mind about leaving.
A wave of panic rose within me at the thought of a future without her, but I forced it down. Wrapping my arms around my waist against a sudden chill, I walked over to the french doors and leaned against the frame to contemplate the moonlit garden. Tonight at midnight, the bridge would open and I would be there, journal in hand, with or without my best friend.
Sometimes running away was the brave thing to do.
CHAPTER 29
Mackenna