Page 107 of Someone You Deserve

Laughing, I shake my head at her. “You have issues.”

She pushes off the door and sits down on the bed beside me. “No, I’m just happy for you.” Taking my hand in hers, she squeezes it tightly. “Did you two talk?”

“We did.”

“And?”

“He told me he’s in love with me, Willow,” I whisper, still trying to believe how much my life has changed in a matter of weeks.

“Well, duh,” she replies sarcastically. “Did you talk about Brandon?”

“Yes, but…”

“But what?” She stares at me intently. “You didn’t tell him everything, did you?”

“No, and I’m not going to.” I take a deep breath and say, “I don’t think it matters, Willow. He’s gone and our marriage is over. I don’t want Penn to resent him or feel like he has shoes to fill at all. I just want a fresh start.”

She nods, but I can tell she’s still not sold on the idea. “Well, if that’s what you think is best.”

“I do, but he wants to tell everyone right away, having a coming out of sorts, and I didn’t necessarily agree or disagree.”

“Why would you want to wait? I thought you were in this?”

“I am,” I assure her. “But this week is going to be crazy leading up to the Morgan event. I think I’d feel less stressed if I could just focus on that.”

She hums out loud. “Okay, I think that’s reasonable. Does he know this?”

“Not entirely. I’m going to tell him when he drops us off.”

She reaches out to hug me. “Well, I just want to say that I’m so happy for you. And him. And part of me feels like I had a hand in making this match, so I’m pleased with the results.”

I laugh at her. “It was all you, huh?” I ask when we part.

“Totally. And call me selfish, but now this means that when you two get married, we’ll be sisters-in-law.”

I reach out and grab her hand this time. “I don’t need a title to feel that close to you, Willow. Meeting you and earning your friendshiphas been life-changing for me too. I’m so grateful to call you my friend.”

“Don’t make me cry, Astrid,” she says as her bottom lip trembles. “I hate crying.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why it’s so fun to do.”

Chapter seventeen

Penn

“So, how’d it go?” Dallas asks me as we stand side-by-side on the deck, surveying the backyard at my mom’s house while Lilly goes crazy jumping up and down every time my mom makes the volcano explode.

“Good. I told her everything I needed to. We agreed to move forward and just be happy.”

Dallas pats me on the shoulder. “Good for you. So, what happens now?”

“She has the benefit next weekend, so I know her focus is on that. But once that’s behind her, I’m going to talk to her about moving in together. I want to marry her, Dallas. I want a fucking life with her that I never thought I’d ever have.”

“See? Love makes you realize what’s important really fucking quick.”

I nod. “Yeah, I get it now. And I’m sorry I gave you shit about that.”

He shoves me playfully. “It’s okay. I knew you’d get there eventually.”

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