––––––––

“Can you believe it’s done?” Emma steps back and looks over the living room of the beach house.

We’ve been working on decorating for nearly two full days and now that it’s complete, it looks a million times better than I ever dreamed it could.

“It turned out so good.” She knocks her shoulder against mine.

“I can’t believe how well all the décor worked in the space. Usually there are a handful of pieces I can’t place but there wasn’t one thing that didn’t fit perfectly.”

“Because you’re just that good.” She smiles, her green eyes bright against her light brown skin.

“I don’t think it had anything to do with me. I think it’s just that amazing of a house.” I look over the light gray furniture with pops of teal and yellow brought out in the pillows and area rugs. It has the perfect beach feel without being too beachy.

“Daddy is going to make so much money on this house. And you know what that means.” She bounces next to me.

Our salaries are based on the profit Jeff makes on each house. The higher the profit, the more money Emma and I make. I know with complete certainty that Emma is right. There’s no way this house won’t sell for asking price. If not over. My bet is that it goes well over asking.

“Now, I think we should celebrate. What do you say? Cosmos on me?”

“I say I think I like where your head is at.” I smirk, linking my arm through Emma’s.

—-

“So when does lover boy finish with his tour?” Emma asks, well into her fourth Cosmo.

“Their last show was Wednesday. He had some things to take care of in Nashville but he should be here this weekend,” I say, not able to contain the excitement I have knowing in a couple of days he will be here.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been three weeks since our time together in Texas. We’ve talked nearly every night since, and even though it’s not enough and I want him here with me, I’ve learned to cherish whatever I can get.

Our relationship has only progressed emotionally with our inability to see each other. When we’re together we can barely keep our hands off each other so it’s nice to have this time to connect with him beyond sex.

I swear I fall for him a little more every day. The more I learn, the more I want. The more I know, the more I love.

“Uh oh,” Emma slurs, knocking back the remainder of her drink. “You are in so deep, Lennon Claire. Look at you.” She giggles. “One mention of his name and you’re off in La La Land.” She twirls her finger.

“What can I say? I’m dating country star, Hudson James,” I say cockily, a wide smile on my face.

“Such a gloaty bitch.” She sticks her tongue out at me and curls her nose. “Someone needs to cut you off,” she says loudly in the direction of the bartender.

“Shhh. Keep it up and they’re going to cut you off.” I push playfully at her shoulder.

“I love you, you know that.” She smiles at me and it’s very clear that she’s crossed the point of no return.

I’m not sure when Emma became such a light weight, but I’ve noticed more and more recently that it doesn’t take much to get her drunk. Then again it could have to do with the fact that she doesn’t drink every other day like we did in college.

Regardless, one thing has not changed. When Emma starts saying she loves everyone, you know she’s had enough.

“I love you too,” I humor her, the buzz running through my veins pretty strong as well. Though to be fair I haven’t eaten a lick of food since seven o’clock this morning and decided to drink anyway. Probably not the smartest move in the world.

“I was pregnant,” Emma blurts out of nowhere, the smile falling from her lips.

“What?” I shake my head, trying to follow. “What do you mean was?”

“I found out a week before Starr’s wedding. That’s why we left early. I was having horrible cramps. Robert and I decided not to tell anyone until we were sure everything was okay. They did an ultrasound a few days later and said it appeared as though the fetus wasn’t progressing the way it should be. I had to do a series of blood tests. They confirmed it a couple weeks ago. I was losing the baby.”

“That’s why you were out sick,” I say, piecing it all together.

She nods, signaling the bartender for another round before her green eyes are on me again.

“Emma. Why didn’t you tell me?” I take her hand that’s resting on the bar and give it a gentle squeeze.

“I wanted to. But I thought it would be easier if I handled it alone. I didn’t want to have to talk about it or answer questions. I just wanted it over with and to move on.”

“You know me better than that, Emma Barrett Mills,” I say, nodding to the bartender as he slides two more cosmos in front of us.

“I see now how stupid that was.” She lifts her drink and takes a sip. “I just wasn’t ready for anyone to know.”

“Are you okay?” I ask the only question I need answered.

“I’m still a little sad. But yeah, I’m okay. Robert has been amazing and we’ve decided we’re gonna wait a couple months before trying again. I honestly don’t know what I did to deserve that man.” She smiles through the tears that have welled behind her eyes.

“More like what he did to deserve you,” I tell her matter of fact. “You know I’m here, right? Anything you need.”

“I know.” She leans into me, her head coming to rest on my shoulder. “Have I told you how much I love you?” she asks, looking up at my profile.

“Less than five minutes ago,” I remind her with a smile.

“Well fuck.” Her head shoots up and she looks around. “I’m really drunk,” she announces.

“No?” I question sarcastically, laughing when she shoots me an evil glare. “Perhaps I should call Robert.”

“I think that might be wise,” she advises before snagging her still full Cosmo off the bar and draining half the contents in one large gulp.

“Perhaps I should call him sooner rather than later.” I laugh, immediately going for my phone, but freezing when a familiar voice washes over me from behind.

“Lennon.”

I slowly turn, locking eyes with Gage who seems just as surprised to see me as I do him.

“Gage.” I force a smile, trying to be polite.

“What are you two doing here?” he asks, his eyes bouncing between me and Emma. She’s biting her tongue to keep herself from telling him where he can go stick himself. “Up to no good I see.” He eyes the Cosmos in front of us on the bar.

“We just finished a project. Decided to have a celebratory drink.” I shrug.

“Or five,” Emma grinds out, throwing me what can only be described as a what the fuck look.

I shrug, hoping Emma isn’t about to cause a scene. Yeah, Gage is an ass and what he did to me hurt like hell at the time, but things have changed a lot since we broke up and I’m not the same person as I was then.

Honestly, in a way I’m grateful to Gage. If he hadn’t royally screwed me over, I never would have reconnected with Hudson and therefore would not be with the person I truly feel like I belong with.

“Mind if I join you?” he asks, beer already in hand.

“Aren’t you here with some bimbo or something?” Emma slurs, typing away on her phone.

“I deserve that.” He sighs. “I’m actually here with a couple co-workers. May I?” He gestures to the stool next to me.

“I can’t stop you,” I say in a way that I hope conveys that I don’t want him to but somehow know he will anyway.

As predicted, he slides up on the stool and leans back, swiveling it so he’s staring at my profile.

“So how are you?” he asks.

“Good.” I sip my Cosmo, ignoring the way his eyes on the side of my face make me feel like I’m about to crawl out of my skin.

How I ever thought I could marry this man is completely beyond me.

“So you said you guys just finished a project,” he prompts, clearly trying to make conversation though I’m not entirely sure why.

“Yep.” I nod, feeling Emma move beside me.

I slide my eyes to see her on her feet, her phone to her ear. She holds up a finger indicating she’ll be right back, turning and walking toward the front door, swaying a little as she steps outside.

“I should make sure she’s okay.” I start to move but Gage’s hand lands on my shoulder, halting my movement.

“She said she’d be right back, Lennon.” He removes his hand when I glare daggers at where he’s touching me.

“She’s drunk,” I point out.

“She’s also a big girl,” he counters.

“What do you really want, Gage? And don’t pretend it’s to see how I’m doing because we both know you never cared about my well-being. So, do us both a favor and cut the bullshit already.”

“I don’t remember you like this.” He shakes his head, taking a long gulp of beer.

“You don’t remember me like what?”

“So... Angry.”

“Angry?” I bite back a laugh. “I’m not angry, Gage. I just don’t like you.” I take a long pull of my Cosmo, needing it now more than ever.

“And you say you’re not angry,” he counters, his tone disbelieving.

“To be angry would imply that I care, Gage, and truthfully I don’t. Not anymore. But that doesn’t mean I want to sit here and play your games either. I know you want something so get to it already.”

“What if I miss you and just wanted to come say hi. Is that so unbelievable?”

“Maybe to a normal person, no. For you, yes.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I know you, Gage,” I remind him. “You’re a self-serving piece of shit who only cares about himself. So no, I don’t believe you just came over to say hello.”

“Fuck, I miss you,” he breathes out, his gaze drifting to somewhere behind the bar before his eyes drift back to the side of my face again. “Look at me, Lennon.”

For reasons I don’t fully understand I find myself turning my face toward him. I guess deep down I don’t have it in me to be cruel to someone even when they more than deserve it.

“Did you hear what I said? I miss you.” He repeats himself when our eyes lock.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Gage. Maybe this should be a lesson to you in the future. Maybe the next girl you’ll appreciate a little more while you have her.”

“I don’t want another girl, Len. I want you.”

“Not gonna happen, Gage. We’ve been over this. Multiple times actually.”

“If you could just give me a chance to show you how sorry I am. I think about you every day. I find myself driving by your house. I walk on your beach. I can’t let you go, Lennon. Not without a fight.”

“You should have fought for me when it mattered,” I say, choosing to not touch the other shit he just dropped on me.

He drives by my house? Walks on my beach? The thought makes my stomach twist in a sick knot.

“Besides, I’m with someone and I’m really happy. I hope you can find happiness with someone else too.”

“The guy at your apartment?” His voice strains for the first time since he sat down.

Hell, I had forgotten he’d met Hudson. Truthfully I can’t even tell you the last time I thought about Gage. Probably the night Hudson showed up and he was at my house.

“That would be the one.” I sip my drink, turning my gaze forward again.

“He’s not right for you,” he spits, leaning into my space.

“How would you know? Because he doesn’t cheat on me? Because he doesn’t leave me for another girl? Is that what classifies someone as being right for me?” I’m seconds away from losing my temper.

“Hey.” Emma appears out of nowhere, sliding back into the stool next to me and I instantly relax. “Sorry. Robert’s on his way,” she informs me, assessing the situation between me and Gage.

“Can we go somewhere? Just to talk?” Gage presses, ignoring Emma altogether.

“I don’t think Lennon’s hot as fuck country star would think too kindly of that idea.” Emma turns her gaze on Gage, an almost taunting look in her eye.

“Country star?” Gage laughs, taking a pull from his beer.

“Oh you didn’t know. Lennon is dating Hudson James,” she practically sings, knowing that Gage loves country music and has likely heard the name.

“You’re really funny, Emma.”

“You’ve met him, have you not? Why don’t you look him up. See if you recognize him? You know what, better yet, why don’t I save you the trouble.”

The next thing I know she’s shoving her phone across the bar, the picture of me in Hudson’s arms backstage in Houston briefly catching my eye before he picks it up and studies it for a long moment.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us.” Emma stands, leans across me, and yanks her phone out of Gage’s hand. “Lennon?” She waits for me to stand before the two of us take off toward the door, leaving a shell shocked Gage sitting there looking like a wounded pup.

“Oh my god.” I look at Emma who laughs like a hyena the moment we’re outside. “I cannot believe you did that.”

“Motherfucker had it coming,” she says, swiping her hand through her hair.

“How drunk are you?” I laugh.

“Pretty toasted actually,” she quips. “Damn it, that felt good. I wanna go back in there and do it again.” She bends over like she might puke but shoots back up again.

“I think we should get you home.” I chuckle at my friend, thanking god I have her in my life.

As if on cue, Robert’s black Lexus pulls up to the curb and the passenger window slides down.

“You two pretty ladies need a ride?” He smiles at his inebriated wife who returns his smile tenfold.

“Hey, baby.” She climbs into the front seat in a very ungraceful fashion but still manages to make it inside.

“How much did she have?” Robert asks when I climb into the backseat.

“Five cosmos. I remember when that girl could drink three times that and still walk a straight line.”

“Still can.” She throws her hands up and lets out a loud whoop.

“Sure you can, babe.” Robert chuckles as he pulls away from the curb.

Less than ten minutes later, Robert pulls into the parking garage of my condo building, parking the car one spot over from the elevator.

I climb from the backseat but instead of heading to the elevator, I stop next to the driver’s side door. Sensing I want to say something, Robert checks on his sleeping wife before quickly stepping out of the car and shutting the door quietly behind him as to not disturb Emma.

“Is she okay?” I ask, not able to shake how quickly she brushed away the news she told me earlier about the baby.

It’s not like Emma to keep things from me but I understand why she did. That doesn’t mean I can’t see how deeply my friend is still hurting.

Part of me feels like maybe if I had been paying more attention I would have seen it. Maybe if I wasn’t so preoccupied with Hudson and my own life I would have noticed that something was off with my best friend.

“Not completely. But she’s getting there.” He offers me a warm smile.

“I’m sorry about the baby,” I say, feeling emotional all of a sudden.

Stupid Cosmos.

“Me too.” He nods, pulling me into his arms. “I’m taking care of her. I promise you I will always take care of her.”

“I know.” I step back, so thankful that Emma found someone like Robert. “Thank you, Robert. For everything.”

“You never have to thank me for loving Emma, Lennon. That comes as naturally to me as breathing does.”

“God, do you always say exactly the right thing?” I laugh when he shrugs.

“It’s a gift.”

“Good night, Robert. Get our girl home safely.”

“Will do. Night, Lennon.” He climbs back into the car, waiting until I’m inside the elevator before he pulls away.