Page 61 of Riley

But I guess, some things don’t come on schedule. Including babies.

I turned to look through the window, noticing Eric sitting there nonchalantly, browsing his phone.

For some reason, looking at him snapped me out of my daze, bringing me back to reality.

“Congratulations,” I mustered, coming back to Earth.

“Thanks, I just... I needed to talk to someone, since, you know, this is kind of a big deal.”

“I get it. Can’t tell anyone, but you want to tell the world,” I said, watching Eric mindlessly sip his latte, waiting for me to return.

To return and break his heart.

Was I capable of that?

Did I want that?

I wasn’t so sure, as the verythoughtof not seeing Eric again made my heart palpitate.

“How... how do you feel about the news?” I asked, trying to focus on the subject. I tore my gaze away from Eric.

“I mean, marriage, kids, it’s what I always wanted,” Aaron said calmly.

“You say that like you’re not sure,” I spoke cautiously. If my brother was having second thoughts about the news, about the wedding...

“I mean, relationships aren’t evereasy,you know. You just... when you love someone, you endure whatever you have to, because you know in the long run they’re worth it.”

I closed my eyes, feeling overwhelmed by the emotion in his voice.

“How do you know?” I asked quietly. “That they’re worth it? The pain, the drama, the bullshit. How do you know that it’s all going to work out?”

My brother sighed. “I don’t. But I know I love Giselle, and I can’t imagine my life without her. I can’t imagine who I’d be without her, you know? And now...”

I listened as my brother got choked up, talking about his soon to be wife. The love in his voice was evident.

“God, if you would have told us when we were two college kids at a frat party that one day we’d be married with kids, I wouldn’t have believed you. But now, all I can think about is seeing her face at that altar and wondering if this kid will have her eyes,” he said, letting out a chuckle. “Our kid is going to be at our wedding, and no one is going to have any fucking clue.”

I laughed with him, understanding the levity of this secret. Especially around our mother, who was notorious for sniffing out gossip.

With practically the entire town coming, it was really wild to think about.

I turned to look at Eric once more, catching his gaze. He waved, and I couldn’t help but do the same.

“Anyway, I got to go, I just... Thanks, man. Thanks for being you. And listening.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I said, and the line went dead.

And as I looked at Eric in the light of the coffee shop, I wondered just how much my still-beating heart could endure.

CHAPTER 26

Eric

I watchedas Riley came back inside the cafe, dressed in his white shirt and khaki’s like some knight in Ralph Lauren.

Thankfully, his brief departure had given me much to think about, and I realized I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t tell him the truth, until I’d put it behind me.

I wanted to be respectable. I wanted to becleanfor him.

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