Page 55 of Before This Ends (Before)

“You kinda did.”

I totally did, and she’s right. I’m scared to death of falling for him too fast, because he’s the man you wish on a star for after you break up with some jerk who cheated, called you names, or just broke your heart. He’s checked boxes I didn’t even know I had. He’s kind, honest, sweet, protective, and so fricking hot that just looking at him causes my body to react. And I like being with him. He makes me laugh, he makes me happy, and I don’t know how I will handle it if he decides that he doesn’t feel the same as me.

“What would you tell me if our roles were reversed?”

“M,” I groan.

“Seriously, Emma, you deserve a guy who makes you a priority, doesn’t play games, and pursues you. I know Eli messed you up, because you were so sure about him being the person you would spend your life with. And yeah, you were wrong about him, but that doesn’t mean you can’t trust your gut this time. And if you search real deep, you’ll probably realize there were things about your relationship with Eli that didn’t sit well, things you ignored because you didn’t want to be wrong about him.”

“You’re right,” I agree but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting that I wasted so much time on a relationship that was one-sided and not going anywhere. Or that it didn’t suck when I came to that realization.

“Finally.” She sighs, reaching her hand across the table to grab mine. “I love you. No matter what happens—if things work out between you and Miles or if they fall apart—that won’t change. You will always be my best friend and Kingston’s godmother.”

Tears tighten the back of my throat, and I swallow them down. “I love you.”

“I know.” She lets my hand go. After taking another sip of wine, I set my glass down. “Are you excited to meet Hazel? She’s here, right?”

“She is—or, I think she is. Her flight was getting in this afternoon, but I’m not sure I’ll meet her this visit.”

“Why not?” She frowns.

Because I’m pretty sure she hates me.

“I don’t know. She just hasn’t been very warm toward me when she’s called and I’ve been around.”

“Hazel hasn’t?” Her frown grows deeper.

“Yeah, and I know I don’t know her, so I could be reading into things, but I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.”

“Strange.” She shrugs. “Maybe she’s on guard, because you and Miles are seeing each other, and as far as I know, he hasn’t dated anyone seriously since her. Or at least not anyone he’s brought around Winter.” She picks up her wine glass. “You know it was hard for me, knowing that another woman was looking after Kingston when Bowie was seeing Naomie.”

My nose scrunches at the mention of that woman’s name. The whole situation with her was as messy as a daytime talk show, since she was actually Tucker’s wife and was having an affair with Miranda’s now ex-husband but actual husband at the time they were sleeping together. Then, she and Bowie divorced, and he continued his relationship with Naomie, only to try to get Miranda back. Which was never going to happen, because by that time, she and Tucker were starting to fall in love.

Not that she would have given him another shot anyway after what he put her through.

“Maybe you’re right. Either way, her visit is all Winter has been talking about for days, so I want to give the two of them time together.”

“Well, when you do meet her, you’ll like her. She’s sweet.”

I want to believe her, but I’m not so sure I’m ready to put myself in a situation where I might find out that my gut instinct about her not liking me is right. Especially when she’s Winter’s mom and so close with Miles’s family.

“How are your parents?” I change the subject before I can get sucked into the vortex of thoughts that surround Hazel not liking me and how that might affect Miles’s and my relationship.

“Good, they should be coming for a visit soon, which will be nice. What about your sister? Are you still planning to go see her soon?”

“Yeah, I hope to go in a couple of weeks before the weather changes and Florida becomes unbearable.”

She grins, knowing I hate Florida in the summer. Not that Tennessee in the summer is much better, but the heat here is different. The temps might get as high, but the humidity doesn’t feel as overwhelming.

“Let me know when you plan on going. I’d love for Kingston and me to go with you if I can swing it.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely, you know he adores Gianna. Plus, it would be nice to feel my toes in the sand and spend some time with you.”

“I would love that. I’ll let you know when I get the date finalized.” I smile.

I miss my friend, even though we spend most of our days together at work. It’s rare that we’re able to do what we’re doing now and just hang out, talk, and catch up. That’s why this afternoon, when she asked if I wanted to grab a drink after work, since Kingston is with his dad for the weekend, I immediately said yes and sent a message to Miles, letting him know I would be late. It also gave me a reason to avoid going to his place right when I got off work and possibly having to be around Hazel, who is staying downstairs in Dayton’s apartment with Winter, since he’s not here.

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