Save Me by Eliza Freed

through with it. You’re too loyal not to. But I figure you’re probably feeling guilty about me,” he says, and I can’t take my eyes off him. I could lean into him, sit next to him, climb on top of him…I could have all of him. “Trapped in your loyalty, tied by your mercy, but still stubborn enough to see this through.” I stay silent, unsure what to say. “You’re beautiful, Annie.”
    I can tell by the way you look at me.
    “But you know that.”
    “Are you planning on being here for the ceremony?” I ask, knowing his presence is the one thing that can stop this wedding.
    “Would you like me to be?”
    “I would like nothing less than to have you watching as I say my vows to someone else.”
    “Why is that, Annie? Because you wish it was me?” he asks, and takes my face in his hands.
    “I thought you said you weren’t here to ruin anything,” I eek out, barely above a whisper. The touch of his hand on my face is making my stomach clench.
    “It’s been two long years since you left and not a day has gone by I haven’t wanted you.”
    I close my eyes and lean into his hand. The lights flicker for the last time and we stand together in the darkness. “You need to go,” I say, and open my eyes, begging for him to listen. “We had our day. Plenty of them and we squandered them. Took us for granted.” I swallow hard, acknowledging my role in our demise. “I’m not going to make that mistake again.” I take his hand from my face. “Not even with you.” The touch of his rough skin tears at me and I run my fingers across his palm. “Promise you’ll leave.”
    “I will. This is the one and only time I don’t want to see you.” Jason runs his lips across my cheek and whispers in my ear, “I love you, Annie.” A chill runs across my breasts and down my legs.
    I step back and take a deep breath.
    I think of Noble and our families waiting for my arrival. Jason’s right. I’m too loyal to do anything but marry Noble Sinclair today. Lucky for me, he is perfect.
    “Be careful with perfect, Annie,” Jason says, and I hate him…
    And want him…
    And love him.
    “I’m ready,” I say as I open the door to an anxious Margo.
    *  *  *
    Margo drives me next door, from one garage to the other. I am delivered in perfect condition, at least on the outside. The mansion is magnificent, and it’s loud. It’s a hive of bees swarming, creating a colony fit for a queen. Two caterers stop and nod my way, but otherwise I move about completely undetected. I take a deep breath and center myself. I’m well versed in separating Jason’s emotions from my life. I learned to ignore his anger at Rutgers. I kept him just between the two of us, and now I’m leaving him alone.
    Sean locks me away in my castle right before Nadine shows up to put on my veil. She’s pleased with the results as I stand in front of her, displaying the finishing touches.
    “Charlotte, you’re beautiful,” she says, and I beam.
    “Do you think Noble will like the dress?” Nadine’s expression calls me ridiculous without her having to say a word.
    “He is going to love the dress. The way he looks at you, you could wear sweatpants today and he would love it.” Nadine slides the small silver comb hooked to my veil into the back of my head and fluffs out the netting. She watches me in the mirror as she finishes her work.
    “Are you okay?” she asks. I must not seem okay. I turn to the window and scan the house Jason and I just stood in. It’s calm, painted the color of summer’s perfect sky. I was just next door with Jason, and now Nadine is asking if I’m okay. “You look a little…I don’t know.” She steps in front of me and examines my face again. I smile, but it’s fake. I’m guessing it’s not fooling Nadine at all. “You seem agitated since I last saw you.”
    Oh, that’s a great term for what he does to me.
    “I’m fine.” I try the smile again. “Just feeling a little haunted.”
    “Maybe it’s the