When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(55)

A small dollop of whipped cream clings to the end of her nose. With the end of my thumb, I wipe it away. The first sip of my own drink makes me groan.

“It’s so good, right?” Kennedy smirks over the top of her mug.

“Do you know which performance is my favorite?” I set my mug down at the same time she does. “Your first.” Across the table, I grip her hands in mine. “Your first performance is my favorite.”

“Why?”

“You looked nervous. You do this cute thing when you’re unsure of something.” She smiles because she knows what I’m referring to. “You scan the crowd, looking for validation or acceptance or whatever it is you seek.” Kennedy focuses on the rim of her cup. “The thing is, you always have it the second you step on the stage. You don’t realize your own worth sometimes, Kennedy.”

“How did you become so sweet?” She searches my side of the table. Her eyes glisten.

“A girl once told me she knew exactly who she believed me to be, and today, I realize she’s right.”

For so long, I’ve blamed myself for things which were out of my control. It’s been easier than facing the reality of the situations we’re dealt. The only hurt resulting from my own actions is when I chose to take my hurt and anger out on Kennedy the night she was attacked. Did my actions create a situation where she felt she needed an escape? Absolutely. And maybe, they led her outside where the darkness swallowed her. What’s taken me a year to comprehend, is Craig set out to do what he did. If it hadn’t been that night, it would’ve been another.

Kennedy does the courteous thing by ignoring my last comment, choosing not to dwell on who I used to think I was, and therefore accepting the guy in front of her now. She steals bites off my plate, and I eat the peas she’s pushed to the side.

“Let’s head out before it gets too cold.” I throw a hundred-dollar bill on the table, waving to Rhonda.

My hand rests on Kennedy’s lower back until I close the passenger door behind her. Through the glass, my eyes fall over the way she smiles at me. I pray she’ll continue to recognize the person she saw all that time ago.





After a quick, cold walk through Central Park, we head back to the apartment. Violet has texted, saying a present with a golden bow on the top has been dropped off at the apartment. Graham looks perplexed and annoyed that I’ve received a present he didn’t send.

When I push open the door, warm arms wrap around me. The intruder is so quick, I don’t see who the strong arms belong to. My feet leave the ground and swing back and forth.

“Hey, Sis,” my brother whispers in my ear.

“What are you doing here, Will?” When he sets me down, I smack his arm.

“You must be Graham.” My brother extends his hand, and Graham gladly shakes it.

“You must be the infamous brother she’s always yammering on about.” Graham mimics his introduction.

“The one and only. Come on in.” My brother laughs. Will walks into my apartment like he owns the place. His confidence knows no bounds.

“I don’t yammer.” For only Graham, I roll my eyes. “And I will come in, since it’s my apartment, Will. You going to explain why you’re here?”

“I have an interview first thing Monday morning. Your big bro’s about to graduate.” He shouts a loud howl.

“And here Mom and Dad thought you’d never amount to anything.” I tap him on the chest two times.

“Not everyone can be a talented genius like you.” He blows me a kiss. “Now, how are you going to entertain me tonight?”

“Graham came all this way, Will. I mean …”

“No, it’s fine, Kennedy. You see me more than you see him.” Graham squeezes my side.

“Are you sure?” I look up to him, secretly hoping he puts up a fight.

“Of course, he’s sure.” Will slaps Graham on the shoulder. “Now, since you’re youngsters, and Mom and Dad will kill me if they know I stocked your liquor cabinet, I suppose there’s only one thing we can do that doesn’t involve staying in the apartment.”

Amanda looks to Violet for clarification, then turns her eyes to my brother’s ass. Graham shrugs his shoulders.

“Bowling.” His eyes shift around the room, landing on each of our faces.

“Looks like we’re going bowling, ladies.” Graham answers for all of us.

“I better dust off my balls,” Amanda shouts, standing from the couch. She brushes her hands off like they’re covered with dirt.

“I’ve got a ball you can dust off,” Will jabs, poking her in the side when she passes.

A flirtatious smile slips onto her face. A smile I don’t appreciate. I point to Amanda’s bedroom like I’m her parent trying to discipline her.

“Oh no, none of that.” With a glare, I silently chastise my brother for flirting with one of my best friends.

He grins as Amanda bounces out of her room, a low-cut top showcasing her large chest.

“Try to relax. What’s the worst that can happen?” Graham whispers in my ear, guiding me out the door to Violet and Amanda’s chatter behind me.

Graham opens the passenger door for me. My brother pretends to cough, but I hear him say ‘pussy’ behind us. Graham turns to Will with a grin and shrugs his shoulders as he rounds the car. Violet gestures for Amanda and Will to follow her to her SUV, and I thank her with a simple look. She nods once, knowing very well I can’t listen to Will attempting to impress Amanda. Not that it would take much. She’s easily wowed. Not one of her more endearing qualities.