Page 66 of Engaging with Her Enemy

“One of us can't be an open book, Juliana. And I never decided on anything. But,” she said, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Maybe now will be a perfect time.” A distraction. Away from Hudson and the mess she had to go home to.

Because that was the main reason that she'd come into the diner's kitchen at three a.m. The reality of the empty place beside her had hit hard. Harder than she even knew how to get over.

“What's wrong?” Juliana rubbed her back. “No more secrets.”

“I miss Hudson.” Admitting to it for the first time to someone else scared her. It made it real. The pain tripled the more she let it surface. Her eyes filled with unwanted tears.

Juliana bit her lip. She was the one keeping the secret, now. “Let's fix one thing at a time. You and I need to get past this. Then we'll move to phase two.”

Becky sniffed, not wanting to cry but having a hard time holding it back. “Damn. You have this broken down into phases now?”

“We had to. There were too many relationships broken, and you're not exactly the easiest person to work with.”

That statement might offend another woman, but not Becky. “Who else besides you and Hudson?”

Juliana grimaced. “No. Not until tomorrow. One hurdle at a time.”

* * *

Becky glancedin the mirror of her compact. Swollen eyes were hard to hide, but her friends hadn't pointed it out. She'd ridden an hour in the back seat of Addie's Mercedes. Juliana and Addie kept up most of the conversation. Random things about Addie’s wedding and where Juliana and Grayson lived while in England.

Becky ignored Cameron's periodic glances in the mirror. If he knew anything else about her disability, he didn't let on, and thankfully, he seemed determined not to ask her about it. She could avoid the topic if he could. Forever sounded about right.

Hudson had texted her twice. Once, a picture of the Savannah River, and then the candy shop. She thought of the brownies she'd developed for him. Would he ever get to try it? She couldn't take him back, not after breaking her trust, but she did miss him.

Even their future as friends seemed destroyed.

The tears welled up again. Cameron watched her in the rearview mirror. She twisted to stare out the window.

Cameron cursed under his breath.

Addie patted his knee. Juliana patted Becky's. This was ridiculous.

What the hell was Cameron's problem? She was the one who had a life-changing decision to make. It shouldn't even be a decision. Hudson should be gone. Out of her life. He'd broken her trust. Again. A second damn time. Why couldn’t she walk away? Clean break.

Because she loved him.

“Did you figure out what you wanted for a tattoo?” Juliana asked. “You should get something symbolic. Like something related to cooking.”

“Yeah. I'll get a cupcake on my butt.”

Addie snorted. “It would give a new meaning if you told someone to kiss it.”

“I think I have decided what to get. An arrow, but in the shape of an infinity symbol.”

Juliana nodded, probably not understanding. Cameron caught her eye again, pride wasn't the emotion she'd expected.

“The fight will never stop,” she said, low, hating the nerves in her voice. These were her friends. They wouldn't judge. At least that’s what she told herself each time she’d wanted to lock herself in her house and stay there.

“But there's strength in an arrow, Becky. A warrior that will never give up.” Cameron's words hit at the heart of how she felt.

He pulled into the tattoo parlor’s dark parking lot. A neon “open” sign flashed in the window. “Now or never,” she murmured. She could do this.

Becky led the group to the door and walked in before she changed her mind. The clean smell and bright atmosphere to the parlor surprised her. Why did she expect it to be dingy and dark? Although, the various posters and pictures hanging on the wall made this a definite Carrie-free zone. She didn't want to be the one responsible for explaining what Big Bird was doing in one of the pictures.

She tilted her head to the side. She wasn't sure herself.

“Ready?” Juliana held out her hand. Becky gripped it. “When I invited you, I didn't think you'd actually get a tattoo. Do you think you'll cry?”

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