“I know. It’s just that it’s the first time I will have seen him since the other week.” I pause and glance out of the window before looking back to Ramon. “I don’t really know what to expect, and the fact that he probably won’t acknowledge me hurts.” I try to shrug my depression over the whole situation away.
The ranch house comes into view and I tell myself that it’s natural to be nervous when about to come face-to-face with an ex, and that I’ll get over it, but I’m not sure I will. Lucien is different than anyone I’ve ever known and the thought that he doesn’t want me anymore tears me in two. I know he wanted me. He was hungry for me, that wasn’t hidden—only his emotions were. Someone has definitely hurt him in the past and she must have hurt him a lot. I couldn’t imagine what had made him as protective as he is with his heart and body. All of it makes me want to cry if I think about it too long. He deserves someone to come home to. Someone to kiss away the pain he has. I wish he knew how much I wanted to be that someone.
As Ramon cuts the engine outside his family’s home, my heart does summersaults in my chest when I spot Lucien. Our eyes lock for a second before anger fills his and my heart drops to my feet when he turns and heads inside.
He couldn’t even be bothered to say hello.
I vaguely hear Ramon cuss as he climbs out, and walking around his SUV, he opens the door for me. He takes my hand into his, pulls me out and into his arms for a hug.
“He cares more than he’ll ever let you know,” Ramon whispers into my ear before pulling back and grinning. “He’ll be pissed if he’s watching from the window.”
Managing a small chuckle, I push him away from me. Laughing, he grabs my hand and slides his fingers between mine. With a slight tug, he gets me moving toward the house, which looks to have a fresh coat of yellow paint on the porch and makes Pippa’s colorful flowers stand out against the house. They certainly are in abundance. I guess it’s as well no one in the family suffers with allergies because suffer they would with the amount of flowers around the house.
“You ready for this?” Ramon asks, concern clear on his face.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I squeeze his hand. “Best get it over with.”
Ramon gives me a once over, and, opening the door, he pulls me inside.
My eyes immediately find Lucien, who is standing by one of the front windows with a frown on his face. If he saw Ramon and me outside then he really can’t say anything considering he threw me away when I was right in front of him.
“Sabrina, you look lovely,” Pippa gushes.
Plastering a smile on my face, I turn away from Lucien and feel close to tears when Pippa pulls me into her arms. She nearly squeezes the life out of me.
“Thank you, and so do you. It’s great to see everyone again,” I say, as I avoid looking in to her eyes.
Deciding it’s best to avoid meeting Lucien’s gaze, I keep my back to him and slide my hand back into Ramon’s. He’s my strength right now and I’m not sure I’ll be able to cope with being here, around Lucien and his family, without him.
Ramon smiles and kisses me on the cheek. As he pulls away his family are watching us closely. I blush and he shrugs as he pulls me to the sofa. He sits down and pulls me into his chest, his eyes looking defiantly towards Lucien. I catch him grinning at Lucien who looks like a thundercloud.
Seeing Lucien like this makes me think he’s just as affected by our break-up, if that’s what you call it, as I am. Unable to take my eyes from him, I notice he looks to have lost weight—his face is leaner with his cheekbones more pronounced on his handsome face. My heart aches and all I want is to wrap him up in my arms and never let go, but my head is telling me that I’ll only ever feel rejection from him.
Feeling Ramon squeeze my hip, I realize Lucien has been holding my gaze. Before he turns his head and continues to look outside, I catch a look of regret on his face, which makes me snuggle more into Ramon for comfort.
Pippa is telling everyone a story about her twin grandchildren, most of which I’ve missed thanks to the stubborn man across the room. She stops mid-story when Michael and Lily arrive with Charlotte and Jr., who appear to be ready for some fun with their uncles.
After the greetings are out of the way and we are settled back on the sofa, Sebastian waltzes in, alone, and sitting on the coffee table facing me, asks, “Are you seriously dating Ramon? I thought,” he looks between Lucien and me, “well, you know?”
He’s always blunt and to the point. His gaze, along with everyone else’s makes me want to squirm in my seat, but luckily Pippa comes to my rescue and cuffs him around his head.
“Ouch…Jeez, Mom. I’m only asking a question.”
“Hmmm. Yes, well…Where’s Carla? I haven’t seen her for a couple of weeks.”
Sebastian laughs. “No, I haven’t screwed up. She’s been sick with the flu. She’s here with me but ran in through the backdoor to visit the powder room first.” He winks at me with a grin on his face. “Sorry Sabrina.”
“Thank you, but it’s okay.”
“So if it’s okay, are you going to answer my question?”