HER PROMISE, MY SIN.

Chapter 3: The fragile glass

The drive to the fundraiser gala was a suffocating exercise to me. Molly was a blur of silk and excitement in the passenger seat,adjusting her pearls while she chattered about the local historical society. Jason was behind the wheel of his black sedan, his silhouette sharp, I sat in the passenger seat, my body pressed as far against the door as possible, trying to pretend the scent of his cologne wasn't filling my lungs like smoke.

"Moraine, you're so quiet," Molly said. "Are you still nervous about the gallery opening next week?"

"Am just tired," I lied, I had become a professional liar in less than forty-eight hours.

Jason’s hand moved on the gear shift, his knuckles grazing the fabric of my dress. It was a calculated "accident," i didn't flinch, i couldn't afford to let Molly see me react instead i just stared out the window at the passing streetlights, my heart poundingin a rhythmic manner against my ribs.

"She's just focused," Jason said, his voice a smooth, "Artists are always in their own heads, aren't they, Moraine?" I looked at him then, his eyes flicked to mine in the rearview mirror in a brief burning contact that felt like a brand.

The gala was a sea of black ties, champagne flutes, and forced smiles. It was the perfect place to get lost, and yet, I felt like a spotlight was following me, every time I turned around, Jason was there, not next to me he was a dutiful fiancee stuck to Molly’s side like glue but his presence was a physical weight that was weighing me down.

I stood by the buffet table, holding a glass of sparkling water I didn't want. "You look like you're planning a murder or a heist," a voice murmured behind me. I didn't have to turn around, but now i already knew the vibration of that voice, Jason had managed to slip away while Molly was cornered by the mayor’s wife. He stood just close enough for me to feel the heat of him, but far enough that a casual observer wouldn't think twice.

"I'm planning an exit," I whispered. "You shouldn't be here, Jason." "I'm exactly where I want to be."

He reached past me to grab a napkin, his arm brushing mine, the contact sent a jolt of pure electricity through my spine.

"Stop it," I hissed, finally looking at him.

He wasn't smiling, his expression was intense, almost angry. "I can't, and neither can you, you should just stop pretending that its a one-sided thing Moraine. You haven't looked at anyone else all night, you're tracking me down like a compass."

"Because you're a threat!" I whispered, my voice unsteady. "To my sister, to my family, to everything."

"I'm a threat to your composure," he corrected stepping an inch closer making the air between to be scarce hence hard to breath. "Molly is a sweet girl, she’s a 'promise.' But you? You’re the storm, Moraine, and I’ve always been a fan of the rain." Before I could respond, a hand landed on my arm making me nearly jumping out of my skin.

"There you two are!" Molly exclaimed. "Jason, the mayor wants to meet the man who won my heart. And Moraine, your old art teacher is over by the bar!"

Jason shifted instantly, the predator vanished, replaced by the charming, perfect fiancee. "Of course babe, lead the way." He followed her, but as he turned, his hand slid down the small of my back, a lingering, possessive slide that lasted just a second too long. I stayed by the buffet, my breath coming in shallow hitches, I was drowning in plain sight.

Twenty minutes later, I couldn't take it anymore, the noise, the lights, the smell of his skin, it was too much. I pushed through the French doors and out onto the stone terrace, the night air was chilly, biting at my exposed shoulders, but I welcomed it, I needed to freeze the fire out of my blood. I leaned against the stone balustrade, looking out over the dark gardens.

"You're going to catch a cold."

I didn't turn. "Go away, Jason, I mean it, if Molly sees..."

"Molly is busy discussing vintage lace patterns with her bridesmaids," he said, his footsteps heavy on the stone. "We have like five minutes on ourselves, maybe ten even ten."

He walked up beside me, leaning his elbows on the railing, he looked out at the dark, just like I was. For a moment, we were just two people in the night, but the silence wasn't peaceful; it was a ticking time bomb.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice breaking. "She loves you, she’s good, she’s kind, she doesn't deserve this."

"I'm not doing anything," Jason said softly turning to look at me, his face half-shadowed. "I didn't come here looking for you, Moraine. I came here to marry a nice girl and live a nice life. but then I walked through that door and i saw you, and in that moment the 'nice life' felt like a prison sentence."

"Don't say that."

"Why not, because it's the truth or because you feel the same way?" He reached out, his hand cupping my jaw while his thumb traced the line of my lower lip, a slow, agonizing movement. "You're terrified because for the first time in your life, you want something you can't have, and it's making you feel alive, isn't it?"

I wanted to pull away, i wanted to slap him but my body betrayed me, instead of pulling away, i leaned into his touch, my eyes fluttering shut. "It's making me feel like a monster."

"Then we're monsters together," he whispered.

He leaned in,making me feel the heat I could feel of his lips, just a hair’s breadth away from mine. My heart was racing, I knew that if he kissed me, there was no going back the fracture would become a break and the sin would be complete.

Clack, clark, clark, the sound of heels on stone.

"Moraine? Jason? Is someone out here?" Molly was looking for us.

Jason pulled back with the speed of a lightening, turning toward the gardens just as she stepped into the light. I spun around, my heart racing, my hand flying to my chest as if I could physically hide the way it was pounding.

"Oh! There you are," Molly said. "It's freezing out here, what are you two doing?"

"Moraine felt a bit faint," Jason said, his voice perfectly steady, perfectly concerned, he turned to her, reaching out to pull her into his side. "I was just making sure she didn't trip on her way back in, she’s a bit pale, don't you think?"

Molly hurried over, her face full of genuine worry, she tucked a strand of hair behind my earthe same ear Jason had just been whispering into. "Oh, honey, you don't look okay, is it the heat in there?"

"Yeah," I choked out. "Just the heat."

"Let's get you some water and find a chair," Molly said, her arm looping through mine, she looked up at Jason, her eyes full of adoration. "Thank you for looking after her, J. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Anything for family," Jason said.

He met my eyes over the top of Molly’s head, the smirk was gone. In its place was something hungrier, something that told me the terrace was only the beginning.

The car ride back was silent, but the silence had changed. It wasn't just heavy; it was jagged. Molly fell asleep against Jason’s shoulder, her breathing rhythmic and peaceful. I stared out the window, watching the world blur by. I felt a hand reach across the center console. It didn't grab mine; it just rested there, palm up, an invitation.

I looked at Jason. He was looking straight ahead at the road, his expression unreadable. But his hand remained open. I looked at my sister, sleeping soundly, dreaming of weddings and white dresses. Then, slowly, my heart in my throat, I lowered my hand. I let my fingertips graze his palm.

Jason didn't move a muscle, but his grip tightened instantly, his fingers interlocking with mine, squeezing hard enough to bruise, he didn't look at me, he didn't have to. We were speeding through the dark, a car full of secrets and sleeping promises, heading toward a ruin I was no longer trying to avoid rather was heading towards it.