Page 16 of Pulled Away

I only get a nod in confirmation as she spoons some chowder into her mouth, effectively ending the conversation. But I’m determined, and okay, I’ll concede to Mom, a lot stubborn.

“So, is there anyone special waiting for you in London?”

“No. I’ve actually been thinking it might be time for me to come back home.”

“Really?” Ryan says, sitting up straight, a note of excitement in his voice. “Why haven’t you said anything?”

She shrugs, putting her spoon down, and wiping her mouth. “It’s just an idea I’ve been playing with. I didn’t want to get your hopes up until I’ve made my final decision.”

“Wow, Hadley, that’s huge. It’s your decision, of course, but it’d be great to have you back.”

He shoots me a beaming smile and I just know that he’s picturing Hadley and I becoming the best of friends. But judging by her grimace, that will never happen. Hadley doesn’t like me. At all.

Half an hour later, I’m seated in our armchair, gritting my teeth while watching Hadley snuggle up to Ryan on our couch.

I’m trying to be a good supportive partner, but Hadley’s making it frigging hard.

When Ryan complimented me on the food, she just had to remind him of that little place on the beach they discovered that served the most divine, out-of-this-world clam chowder. His offhand comment that he still prefers his mom’s recipe—the one I made—shut her up pretty quickly. She couldn’t hide her surprise that his mom gave me one of her recipes. She’s renowned for guarding them like they’re a national treasure.

My triumph of that little win died a fiery death after dinner. Ryan insisted I get changed out of my work clothes while he did the cleaning up since I cooked, and she graciously offered to help him.

“It’s the least I can do after all your effort with dinner,” she said with a sweet smile, and if it was anyone else, I would be thankful.

On a typical night, I would shower and change into my comfy PJs but because we have a guest who looks like a runway model—who I strongly suspect is trying to lay some kind of claim on my boyfriend, you know, like a dog peeing on his territory—I opt for my favorite jeans and a shirt. By the time I get back to the lounge, the kitchen is done, Ryan’s queued up Vikings, and Hadley’s sitting in my spot next to Ryan on the couch. She’s sipping on a cup of chamomile tea.

“I finally got the chamomile tea. I was going to take it to the apartment, but I made us lunch and Ryan suggested I keep it here. He knows I always want a cup of tea after a meal, so running back and forth will be a waste of time.”

“You made lunch?”

“Just some sandwiches. Ryan was starving.”

“I bet,” I mutter, taking the cup Ryan’s holding out to me.

“Here, try it.”

He nudges his cup towards me, and I lift a brow.

“You’re drinking chamomile tea?”

“I don’t know why I forgot how much I loved it.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say something about the seating arrangement, but he shoots me a helpless look which has me biting my tongue and settling down in the one-seater. He starts the show, and I try my best to pay attention.

I cycle through a whole range of emotions while I sit on the couch. This was not how I pictured our evening going. Instead of cuddling up to Ryan, I’m watching Hadley inch her way closer to Ryan until she’s nestled into his side, both of them sipping on freaking chamomile tea. The only thing that’s allowing me to cling to sanity is that he’s not touching her. And the apologetic looks he keeps shooting me.

If she comes back, is this what my life will be like? A female friend in my boyfriend’s life who thinks it’s okay to behave that way? That has no boundaries? Or is this behavior just because they haven’t seen each other in so long, coupled with the fact that she’s going through a hard time?

Chapter seven

Aspen

“Sorry about tonight. That was awkward.”

Humming my agreement, I turn to face Ryan, who’s already on his side, his head propped on his hand.

“It wasn’t just awkward. It was weird,” I say, tightening my ponytail and getting into bed. I turn on my side, and we stare at each other in silence. “You mentioned you were close, but I didn’t realize you were that close.”

I can’t keep the irritation from my voice because tonight wasn’t cool. Ghosting me over the weekend wasn’t cool. I’m upset with her, but I’m more upset with him. He’s my boyfriend, so he’s the one that should have boundaries in place. I know the circumstances are difficult and she’s a close friend, but it doesn’t mean that I should be treated with disrespect. What’s bugging me also is that she doesn’t seem particularly upset. I know what grief looks like. The last weeks of Mom’s illness, I was inconsolable. Every second I had, I spent with her, time a ticking clock in my head, knowing I’ll never get that second back. The only time I could muster up a smile was when I was trying to be brave for her. But that was me. I don’t know anything about Hadley or her relationship with her parents.

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