Queen of my Heart

14

BAD THINGS KEPT HAPPENING.

I've never thought it'll be this hard.

Fighting with your boyfriend looked so easy in the movies, like there was an off-on switch for exploding feelings.

It's been two days since I last saw him, but Bryan's sorrowful eyes still haunted me in my sleep.

Whatever did I do to deserve this?

Now that I've thought about it, Kian was right after all. Bryan and I will never last for long. For one, who in their right mind will kiss a man first before getting to know him?

Me, that's who!

Really, though. I've never met a man quite like Bryan McFadden. One moment he's a charming young gentleman, the next he's a raging beast begging for his treat. Who was I to keep up with that?

You can stop pretending to be all feminine and innocent now, Juliet.

Ugh. I hated how my subconscious was always right.

"Dear?" Granny.

I faced her from where I was looking through my window. "Yes?"

She was sporting that smile of hers that made her eyes crinkle at the edges, making it hard for me to resist her. "Would you like to eat? You haven't touched a thing since . . . I can't even remember."

A fake chuckle, a step closer to her. "Nah, I'm just not feeling well, Granny."

"Is it because of the boy?"

Suddenly I felt as if the ground were about to swallow me whole. I had to grasp the doorframe for support. "What boy?"

The old woman was smiling her Don't-play-dumb-young-lady smile. "The blond one. With the cheeky smile. Bryan, isn't he?"

Since when did it become so hot in my room?

Granny was on a roll. "But what about Shane? He's been the only man you've ever loved. Although I'm quite fond of your new friend, too. Bryan seemed like a gentleman. Talented, too."

"Why do you know so much?" I grumbled under my breath as I followed her downstairs and into the kitchen.

The smell of apple pies welcomed me, and for a moment, I forgot what we were talking about.

Granny faced me. "You know, my dear, I may be old, but I am not stupid."

I knew I was blushing as I ducked my head to avoid her pinching my cheeks. "Granny," I whined. "Don't entertain them when they call or send mails or come here, okay?"

The smile was still intact, though her kind brown eyes were shining with worry. "Child, what is this about? You know you can always tell me anything, right?"

Nodding, I took a seat on a stool and told her everything. From how I've been trying to suppress my feelings for Shane since I saw him in the streets to the little spat I had with Bryan. "I mean, isn't it fair to give me a bit of breathing space after all I've been through? I know I've been reckless and illogical, too, but is it so hard for them to understand my predicament?"