Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Her words take my thoughts to a new place.
What if I never see Sam again? Never see his smile or his adorably goofy, slightly cross-eyed thinking face or the pained expression he makes when I’m making him feel so good that he can hardly bear the beauty of it?
God, that would be…awful. Unspeakably awful.
Fresh tears stream down my cheeks, like two twin spigots twisted all the way on.
“But I don’t know how to do second chances,” I blubber, swiping at my cheeks with fresh tissues. “I don’t know how to do first chances. All I know is that I feel so stupid and scared and…blindsided. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to trust him again. It’s like I rolled over and showed him my vulnerable underbelly and he threw a knife at it while my guard was down. Now, I just want to bite his leg and run away and hide in my closet with a giant bag of burnt pretzels.” I push the ice cream carton away with a snarl. “I’m over my sweet phase. Ugh, I can’t believe I ate almost the entire thing. I can feel myself developing active diabetes.”
“You’re not developing active diabetes,” Evie says in a firmer voice. “And you’re not a coward, so stop acting like one.”
An outraged huff escapes my lips, but Evie isn’t finished.
She continues without missing a beat, “Sam didn’t put a knife to your underbelly. He messed up, but from everything you said, it sounds like his heart was in a good place. No knives—metaphorical or otherwise—were ever drawn. And as long as he’s willing to admit he was wrong and tries to change, I think that’s all that matters. Every relationship has growing pains. It’s part of learning how to build a life together. But the extra effort is so worth it. There’s no better feeling than working through a problem with the person you love, getting to the other side of it, and realizing you’re even closer and more in love than you were before. It’s so empowering and beautiful. Truly.”
Frowning, I turn to Harlow, who sighs and nods.
“She’s right,” Harlow agrees. “You know I’m not touchy-feely, but…she’s right. Bumps in the road can be hard, but when you’re with the right person, the hard parts are worth it. And usually not nearly as bad as you think they’re going to be. The dread is the worst part. Once you face the problem and start working on it, things usually clear up far more easily than you think they will.”
“Especially when your guy is as invested as you are,” Evie says. “And there’s no doubt Sam is invested. You should have seen his face when I let him into the apartment. He was so excited to be doing something nice for you. The joy he took in something he thought would bring you joy was pretty special.” She hands me a fresh tissue. “He’s so in love with you, girl, and I think you feel the same way.”
Pressing my lips into a tight line, I nod, admitting the truth to another human for the first time.
“He feels like home,” I whisper. “And the most exciting adventure I’ve ever had.”
Evie’s eyes light with recognition. “Yep, that’s it. That’s Love with a capital L.”
My head falls back with a groan. “But I’ve ruined it. I was so harsh. I unleashed my full cold, icy, she-demon fury on him. He didn’t even try to come after me when I left the bar. He just…accepted defeat.”
“I don’t think so,” Evie says.
“I know so,” I counter, returning my chin to its upright position. “He knows I don’t forgive easily. Or ever. He’s probably halfway back to London by now.”
“Or downstairs, pacing back and forth in front of the bodega on the corner,” Evie says in this knowing voice that sends a hopeful tickle through my aching chest. I glance her way, and she nods over her shoulder toward the windows. “I spotted him just before Harlow got home. I was going to run down and see what was up, but then I got distracted.”
“He’s out there?” I ask, my pulse picking up.
“He is,” Evie confirms. “And I bet he’d be breathlessly grateful for an invite to come up and talk this through with you on the roof.” I hesitate, and she adds in a gently wheedling tone, “There’s going to be a beautiful sunset tonight, the kind that inspires people to treasure the beautiful things in life. Might be nice for you two to share it together.”
I gulp, fear and longing swirling inside me like an emotional tornado. My gut says Evie is right, but it’s Harlow who seals the deal, “At the very least you could make him bring you those burnt pretzels you’re craving. End the relationship on a decent note instead of abject sadness.”