Page 54 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

Right now, this is exactly what I need. For him to encourage me to chase after my dreams.

“So you’re going to be busy this next week, huh?” he asks.

“Yeah. It’s going to be crazy.”

Aaron squeezes my hand. “I can’t sew, but if you need me for anything, I’ll be here.”

I smile my thanks to him.

We talk a while longer before I need to leave.

As I drive home, I reflect on our conversation.

Part of me wants to read into every detail of his inflection, his eyes, even the way he squeezed my hands.

I want to find the clue that he’s lying to me and will throw it back in my face at the first opportunity.

It’s a habit I’ve grown used to.

Now, I try to remind myself that he would want me to take him at his word.

His support means too much to me.

I know Ellen will be thrilled for me, of course, but Aaron is someone I have made a prior commitment to, a commitment I now have to back out of.

And he didn’t make me feel bad for it.

It occurs to me that saying I have a fear of commitment might not be the best way to put it.

After all, I’m committed to my work. I was reluctant to break my commitment to Aaron’s charity event…

I want a fresh start.

My heart starts to pound as I slow my car. It occurs to me, that even though I officially broke up with Steven, there’s still a lot of baggage between us.

I’ve been trying to forget him. Trying to break the of behavior that I fall into.

Now, I’m wondering if forgetting him is what I need to do.

He keeps sneaking into my thoughts. The comparison between him and Aaron is real.

I pull into a parking lot so I can stop the car. My hands are tight on the wheel as I churn over this thought.

He’s still a voice in my head. I thought I had to avoid him, otherwise I’d go back to him like I always do.

I’m too strong for that now.

But… there are still things I need to say to him. Things I need to confront him about.

I don’t want to play the blame game. But perhaps if I’m honest with him about everything he did that broke my heart, he won’t do it to the next girl.

My heart is pounding, but I put my car back into gear.

It’s time.

Chapter twenty

Aaron

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