She shakes her head quickly. “Hell no, I just hate how it went down. I really don’t know what happened, and I don’t even know what has been said is true. All I know is that I left with him and I wake up cold, wet from the rain, and raped. It’s scary and still hurts me inside, you know? I love Micah, I do, but I don’t know. I just feel like a part of me is still missing. The part Casey took, and it scares me that I’ll never be the person I was.”

I hold her hand in mine and nod. “You’ve grown, Lena. You’ve learned from your mistakes. It has made you a stronger person. You are still healing from it all, and you’re going to overcome all of it. I believe that because you’re amazing, Lena.”

She lets out a long breath as she nods. “That’s what Micah says when I tell him this.”

“Then believe him, because it’s the truth.”

She smiles as she leans into me again. “I just think that hearing about him, talking about him, messes with me and makes it worse. I wish that he would just leave town. I told Da this at dinner because I’m so over him, but even Da agrees. If he hasn’t left yet, he won’t. Not with his ma here, God bless her soul. Such a wonderful woman, such a shitty fella.”

“Yeah,” I agree as I shake my head. I would love nothing more than to never see him again but like my sister said, it won’t happen unless we leave. Casey’s ma is very sick, has been for years, and he is the only one that can take care of her.

“So I asked Micah if we can skip town once we are married and he agreed. I haven’t told Ma and Da yet.”

I nod as a grin pulls at my lips. “That’s good. I doubt they’ll mind. They’ll have to understand the reasoning behind it.”

And I know I’m right. This is the first summer Lena has stayed home since it happened. Usually she goes off to Germany with her friends or family but since meeting Micah, I’ve slowly seen my sister come back to life. He may be dumb as a rock, but he treats my sister like a princess, so he is all right in my eyes.

“Yeah, I hope. Oh well if they don’t! We are the rebels of the family, I think!”

I laugh as I agree. “Maybe so, but I know I can’t leave.”

“Then you better get married before I have to stay here and Micah runs the business.”

I scoff as I shut my book. “I’d turn over in my grave before I’d let that happen.”

“I know. You love it too much.”

“I do.”

She looks down at my book, reaching for it and flipping carelessly through the pages. I want to ask her to be careful but before I can, she says, “I don’t think Da will give it to Micah.”

I shrug, reaching for the book to keep it safe. “I’m not sure one way or another, but I don’t plan to find out. I am doing what they want. Let’s hope it works out.”

“With the girl from the pub?” she asks with a wink.

A smile pulls at my mouth as I shrug but reality sets in because I may want that to be true at this moment, but all it is right now is attraction. I don’t know her deepest, darkest secrets, I don’t know what makes her tick, and I don’t know what her wants are for the future. We could want two totally different things and as much as I hope that doesn’t happen, I can’t help but think about it. It scares me but at the same time, I try to push those thoughts away because I want to enjoy her. I want to live in the now.

With her.

So looking back at my sister, I grin as I slowly shrug. “Maybe.”

When I pull up to the Maclaster’s house, I park behind Fiona’s little bug and turn my car off. I run my hand through my thick, curly hair, knocking my beanie off. I consider leaving it off, but only for a second before I pull it back down on my head. Letting out a long breath, I tap my fingers on the steering wheel, willing myself to go get my date. I’ve been thinking that I might not like her after tonight, but what if she doesn’t like me? What if she thinks I eat loudly? Or maybe that I don’t smile enough like my ma says? What if I say something stupid and she runs the other way?

Fuckin’ shite.

My knee is bouncing, my heart pounding, and my hands feel clammy. I was fine driving over here, excited even, but now, I feel like I might vomit. When I see the curtain pull back and Mrs. Maclaster peek out, I know I’ve been seen and have to go in. Throwing the door open, I step out and head towards the door. Before I can knock, it flies open and Mrs. Maclaster grins up at me.

“Declan, how nice to see you,” she greets before stepping out the way to allow me to come in. I give her a curt smile before stepping inside and meeting Mr. Maclaster’s gaze. I reach my hand out and he takes it strongly, squeezing my hand as he holds my gaze.

“Howyea, Mr. Maclaster.”

“Howyea, Declan. Good to see ya.”

“You too,” I say, dropping my hand from his and tucking them in my pocket.

“Amberlyn should be down any second. They have been fussin’ over hair and makeup all afternoon.”

I nod as I look around the Maclaster’s home. It is an old stone home with beautiful, large windows, with a wonderful view of the lake. The furnishing makes the house homey and inviting. A smile plays on my lips when my gaze falls on a picture of Fiona and Amberlyn hugging tightly. It had been taken recently because it wasn’t even in a frame yet, just leaned up against an old, Celtic cross. They could honestly pass as sisters with how much they look alike—both so beautiful. “That’s a nice picture.”

They both nod, Mrs. Maclaster’s grin wide and full of love. “Yes, our girls. They are something, that’s for sure.”

I couldn’t agree more. When the sound of someone coming down the stairs catches my attention, I turn to find Fiona and then Amberlyn. Like an angel of heaven, Amberlyn is breathtaking. In a pair of tight, light pink slacks, she has on a black, lacy top that she has covered with a matching, pink blazer. But the outfit wasn’t what had my tongue thick in my mouth. It was the shoes—sexy, black, and high, making her legs look long and lean. A smile pulls at my lips as her eyes meet mine. Her eyes are done up very drastic, something that I haven’t see on her before. Her hair is in a mess of curls down her shoulders and her lips are full, pink, and glossy. I want nothing more than to lick every bit off her sexy, sweet mouth. Fuck, she is intoxicating.

Her mouth pulls up at the side as she walks over and stops before me. “Hey.”