Page 27 of Coming Up Roses

Myla Rose

I haul ass to Bertha,determined not to let him see my tears. Stupid, traitorous tears. Serves me right, though, thinking a man like him would want me. Between his sweet words, even sweeter gestures, and what I thought was mutual chemistry, it's no wonder I misread the situation. As much as I want to chalk it up to pregnancy hormones, I can't help but think there's something wrong with me.

On my short drive home, I debate going to see Simon but ultimately decide against it. I don't want my ignorance and assumptions to upset Simon and Cash's friendship. Simon is so fierce when it comes to me, and sometimes, his overprotectiveness makes him a bit irrational. Once I'm home and cozy in lounge clothes, I fish my cell phone out of my bag and call Azalea.

"Azalea!" My whine carries clear through the phone. "I'm such an idiot."

"Not an idiot, Myles."

"We were havin' such a nice time—a really, really good day, and stupid me, I had to go and ruin it," I lament, flopping back onto my bed with a dramatic sigh.

"Sister-girl, I'm gonna need you to start from the beginning."

"If we're starting at the beginning, then this is your fault." Irrational? Yes. Do I care? No.

"My fault? Now I'm really not following."

"You–you tried to set us up by asking him to drive me home. That was the damn catalyst. He was spoutin’ all these sweet words and making hope bang around in my chest like fucking butterflies on speed. Had me thinking all sorts of silly things. Then he showed up the next day to do the pressure washing for me—that was a mess in its own right. And today, he met me at the Strawberry Festival." I pause mid-rant, too caught up in my memories of the past few days.

"Keep going, hun."

"Cash was so attentive, Az. He asked about Grams and listened to every word I said. I mean, every word—he didn't act bored or nothin'. He walked with me and took the time to look at just about every booth. It was seriously amazing. Except I kept comparing him in my mind to Taylor. Not that they even compare. Cash is leaps, bounds, and miles ahead."

Azalea snorts. "You got that right."

"Yup, and I ruined it."

"Myla, while you've said a lot, you still haven't really told me anything."

"We . . . kissed."

"I'm sorry, y'all what?"

"Kissed. And I thought he was just as into it as me. Until he pulled away and apologized. Told me he shouldn't have kissed me. It was mortifying."

"Oh . . ." I can tell from her tone of voice that she's searching for the right words to comfort me.

"Yeah, oh."

"Well, I don't know what to tell you. Maybe there's more to it?"

"Doubt it. I feel like an idiot. I really thought he was into me, and I went and ran him off."

"Babe, you didn't run him off. Maybe he just got spooked."

"Yeah, spooked at the thought of kissing someone else’s baby mama."

"Myla Rose, you hush up right now. You will not be single forever. The right man will love you both." Her words are so similar to Cash’s, I can’t help but snort. They’ve obviously been drinking the same Kool-Aid.

"Yeah, heard that recently. Not gonna put much stock in it though. Single’s just fine by me. I'll talk to you later, 'kay?"

"’Kay. Love you, Myles. Don't go losin’ sleep over this."

I'm honestly not sure I believe what I just told her—that I'm okay being single for the long haul—but I guess I’d better get used to it.

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