Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Why were you mad?”
My pen stilled, and I shifted my gaze to her.
“When you came in, you seemed really mad.”
“Oh…I just… It’s nothing.” I went back to work.
“It didn’t seem like nothing.”
My eyes shifted back to hers. “I had a drink with a friend. We have this mutual friend who used to be my best friend—and we aren’t friends anymore.”
“Oh…that sucks.”
“Yeah.” I kept working.
“Why aren’t you friends anymore?”
“Because he’s not a good person.”
She nodded slowly. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
I lifted my gaze and looked at her again. “Thanks, Lizzie.”
“I don’t have a lot of friends. Mom says I’ll have more in high school.”
“You’ll make friends in every step of your life. You’ll have work friends, mutual friends with your significant other, people you meet at the gym…so don’t worry about it if you don’t make a lot of friends in high school either.”
“I guess that’s true. Do you have a lot of friends?”
“A few.”
“And my mom is your best friend?”
I knew she got that from the words I’d written in the book. “Yeah.”
“Your best friend isn’t a boy?”
“No.” Ryan was my best friend, but I felt like Emerson had replaced him, not that it was a contest.
Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “But how can Mom be your best friend and your girlfriend?”
I never felt that way about Tabitha, that she was my best friend. I loved her, but that level of closeness had never been there. That was what I learned about love when I met Emerson. The person you decided to be with should be more than just your lover. They should be everything you needed. “Your girlfriend should be your best friend. Think about it. Do you ever fight with your best friend? No. Is your best friend your favorite person to do stuff with? Yes. So, shouldn’t the person you love be the person who has all those qualities?”
She stared at me as she considered what I said.
“That’s my best advice when it comes to love. You shouldn’t fight with your partner, the way you shouldn’t fight with your best friend. If you did, would they be your best friend? No. We look for the wrong qualities in our partners sometimes.”
“Have your other girlfriends been your best friend too?”
“No, and I think that’s why they weren’t right for me. But your mother is right for me.”
She smiled. “She told me you’re going to get married someday.”
“I’m sure we will.”
“Yeah?” she asked, her smile faltering.
“Why is that surprising?”
“I just always thought guys don’t like to get married. That’s what happens in the movies and stuff.”
“That is true. But when you get older, don’t be with a guy who doesn’t want to marry you. Don’t waste your time with a guy who doesn’t know what he wants. Be with a guy who doesn’t play games. I tell your mother how I feel every day, and I don’t play it cool. That’s what a man does.”
She nodded slowly. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
“Anytime.”
“That’s so great,” Mom said across from me at the dinner table. “I’m so happy to hear that.”
Dad stopped eating because he was more interested in the story. “So, she picked up on your relationship because of what you wrote in the book?”
“Yeah.” I never told them what it said.
“What did you write?” Dad asked. “Not to be nosy, I’m just curious.”
I told them the truth because I had nothing to hide. “I said I loved her.”
Mom grinned so wide, like it was Christmas morning and I liked the gift she got me. “Aww…”
My dad didn’t smile, but his eyes filled with affection the way they had when he’d read what I wrote to him.
“Not the way we wanted Lizzie to find out, but she was fine with it.” It worked out pretty well.
“I think that was the best way she could find out, actually,” Mom said. “Think about it. She already likes you, and then she sees this incredibly beautiful gesture you made for her mom…”
Dad nodded. “It showed Lizzie that you really care for her mom, and you obviously really care for her as well. That’s a great way to earn her trust, to show that you’re good for both of them, that you have good intentions.”
“Yeah.” I never thought about it that way. I continued to eat.
“So, when do we get to meet her?” Mom asked excitedly. “We should all go to the cabin together.”
“Why would you guys meet her?” I asked bluntly.
“Why wouldn’t we?” Mom asked, slightly hurt.
I backpedaled because I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. “I just mean, I told Lizzie we’re friends, so why would she meet my parents? I guess if Emerson and I were married, it would make sense, but—”
“You love this woman,” Mom said quickly. “This relationship is serious. She’s a part of your life, so she’s a part of our life. And we love Emerson dearly, whether you’re together or not. We would love to meet her daughter.”