Unbreakable (City Lights, #2)(112)

“Alex.”

I turned to my left and he was there, off to the side, as if he wanted to stay in the shadows of the falling night.

“Cory. What are you doing here?”

My imagination conjured scenes out of movies, where the hero breaks up the wedding to declare his love for the woman in front of gasping onlookers, to sweep her up in her arms and carry her off. But Cory’s handsome face was stoic, hard—as if he were trying to keep from breaking apart.

“I’m sorry…so sorry to show up here like this.”

“It’s okay.” I moved closer, wanted to touch him, to hold him together. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Georgia left. She left. To Alaska. And she didn’t take Callie.”

It took a moment for the full import of his words to sink and then I covered my mouth with my hand. “What? No…She’s gone?”

“Yeah, and now Callie…Callie’s really, uh…upset, and she wants to be in her room. At your house. She says that would make her feel better. And right now I’d commit murder if it made her feel better.”

“Where is she?”

“In the truck. At the valet.” A muscle in Cory’s jaw twitched. “She’s…not doing so great.”

A swift pain swept across my chest for the sweet little girl, and I thought I’d commit murder too, to take it away. I’ll start with Georgia.

“The key. You need the key.”

“Yeah. Christ, I’m sorry, Alex. But I don’t know what else to do.”

“My purse is inside. I’ll get it. I’ll get it and be right back.”

I didn’t wait for a reply but hurried back into the restaurant. I found my purse on the chair where I’d left it and tore the key ring out with shaking hands.

Drew came up beside me. “Alex? Are you okay? What’s going on?”

“I have to…This goddamn key…” I tore the bungalow key off the ring and walked as fast as I could in my heels, Drew following behind.

Outside, I stopped short to see my parents standing with Cory. Lilah slipped up beside me. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

I gripped her hand.

“Alexandra.” My mother’s face was pinched. “We’ve just met your friend.”

“Yes,” my father said loudly, to override his wife’s disdain, “and I was just saying I’m so pleased to be able to shake the hand of the man who took care of my girl in that bank.” He extended his hand to Cory. “I can’t thank you enough, young man.”

Drew pushed forward. “You,” he seethed, incredulous. “I don’t f*cking believe it. You’re here?” He rounded on me, accusing. “Once wasn’t bad enough? You felt the need to humiliate me here? Tonight?”

“No…I…”

I glanced around, a small crowd was forming. Antoinette and Rashida emerged from the restaurant; other guests were still arriving from valet. I felt panic course through me, stealing my grace, my ability to even speak. Lilah’s hand in mine was the only thing that felt real.

“I’m sorry, man,” Cory said. “It’s my fault. Alex had nothing to do with it.”

Drew sneered. “So what do you want? More help? What, an entire house wasn’t enough? Donations weren’t enough?”

“Drew!”

I pushed between them, my heart breaking for the way Cory’s face paled at the words. People were staring, muttering to themselves. I wanted to grab him and disappear. But he faced them all down, his head high, and looked at Drew.

“You’re right. I need help. It’s the last f*cking thing I want to do but I’m standing here, asking for help. And yes, the timing couldn’t be shittier, but let me tell you, it’s never the right time.”

Tears sprung to my eyes. I know it cost him more to say that than it had to put his life in danger. Fierce pride welled in me, washing away the embarrassment. He had nothing to be embarrassed about. Nothing.

“I’m so sorry, Alex. I didn’t want to come here. But it’s for Callie and—”

“You show up for family,” I finished.

“Yeah. Yeah you do.”

I pressed the key into his hand and when his eyes found mine, my parents, Drew, Lilah…they all melted away and there was just Cory and me.

“I ruined your party,” he said.

“No,” I said softly. “I’m about to.” I longed to touch him but Callie needed him now. “Go.”

He lingered a moment more, his head bowed, then turned and jogged to his rugged truck parked amongst the idling Mercedes and Jags and BMWs. I could see Callie’s pale, unsmiling face in the passenger window of the cab, saw her little hand come up in a half-hearted wave.

I forced a smile and waved back, then laid my hand to my aching heart and watched the truck pull away, until it was lost to the stream of lights on Constellation Blvd. When I finally turned, it was to a ring of faces, each regarding me silently.

“I need to speak with Drew privately.”

“Of course,” Lilah said. “Mr. and Mrs. Gardener? Everyone? Inside, please.”

My mother looked inclined to protest but a look from my father and she snapped her mouth shut and let Lilah usher them back into the restaurant. The rest of the crowd retreated inside too, leaving Drew and me alone. We stood against the tall wall, with the sign glowing high above us.