Page 17 of Dear Rosie

I hurry the last few yards, not wanting Hannah to hear this person’s constant ringing.

I close my fingers around the door handle and pull it open before the person can press the bell again.

And then everything stops.

Because standing before me, taller than I realized he’d become and close enough to touch, is the only best friend I’ve ever had.

It’s my Nathan.

He’s here.

Really here.

Standing before me.

Oxygen dances just out of reach, and spots start to dot my vision as I try to make sense of what I’m seeing.

Nathan is here.

At the same house I’m at.

This should be a beautiful moment.

One where we embrace and cry.

When we say how much we missed each other.

But I can’t do that.

Not with him.

Not after… everything.

Panic wells up inside me.

I can’t pretend everything’s been okay since he left.

And I can’t tell him the truth. Can’t put my burden on his shoulders.

And… God dammit, I can’t breathe.

Even if I could, I don’t know what to say.

“Hey there.” Nathan grins. “I’m Nate, best friend of the groom.”

His grin is perfect. Happy.

Nathan holds his hand out.

He’s holding his hand out because he just introduced himself. To me.

Like we’re strangers.

Because we are.

My fingers feel like ice as I reach out and place my hand in his.

His palm is warm and so much larger than mine. And I want to melt into the feeling.

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