Page 21 of Fall at Once

“But it’s not,” I deduced.What had happened at Bookers?

“Nope. Not one freaking bit.”

God, I saw so much of myself in her, and it broke my heart.

“Your dad said something to me the other day when I was upset and embarrassed. You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s worth repeating.”

Her lips tipped up in a slight grin. “Shit happens? Grandpa says that all the time.”

“Yeah, shit happens—to all of us. But most importantly, you are allowed to feel what you feel. I don’t mind at all if you want to talk more about it, and I’m honored that you trusted me enough to open up. I’m in no place to judge anyone. Nobody is. Obviously, the divorce and your feelings about it are more serious than a simpleshit happens. My point is, don’t be embarrassed when you get overwhelmed by your feelings and have to let them out.”

“No, I get what you meant, totally. Speaking of shit—” Her eyebrows shot up as she gestured to Basil with a tilt of her head. He had just finished part one of his daily business. “We can walknow.”

I held my hand to her, honored when she took it and squeezed it.

“Let’s get a move on. Want to do the honors?” I offered her Basil’s leash, and she took it with a grin. “I’ll be on clean-up duty.” I held the bags up as Basil barked happily at her side. “I’ll get that one when we get back.”

“What kind of dog is he, anyway?” she asked.

“According to Gigi, he’s almost a beagle. She rescued him from an animal shelter when she was at my place in Colorado Springs. He’s not purebred by any means.”

“Like Snoopy?”

“Maybe a bootleg, street dog version of Snoopy. Basil has seen some things out there on the streets. He’s kind of nutty.”

We power-walked through town, falling into a comfortable silence as we basked in the fresh air and bright yellow sunshine.

“Thanks, Madi. I didn’t think I could feel better after my mom called to cancel.” Her whispered voice carried through the light breeze and warmed my heart. I loved that I could be here for her to talk things through, just like Gigi had always been around when I needed her.

“Any time, honey,” I answered as we approached the park.

We spent the rest of our time watching Basil run around, barking and yipping at the falling leaves in the breeze while we chatted about lighter topics.

As I walked them back home, I thought about Cole and his divorce and whether or not I should tell him I knew some of whathad happened between him and his ex. I would hate it if he knew all the pathetic details of my breakup. Ross hadn’t cheated on me, but keeping me dangling on a string while he put up with my affections and fed my hopes for our future was still pretty bad.

Oh crap, what if he knew about everything already? I had previously doubted Gigi would spill anything genuinely personal, but who knows? She considered Cole a good friend and was obviously trying to push me in his direction.

Oh well, what did it matter if one more person knew how sad and desperate I had been?

Chapter 8

Madi

When I returned to the apartment, I ran a bath. Coffee and a bubble-filled soak in the tub sounded like the perfect way to spend the rest of my morning before heading to Gigi’s to work the counter and keep an eye on things.

But was I in the bathtub right now?

No.

I was up a tree.

Literally.

Let’s rewind to about ten minutes ago, and the decision now ranked somewhere in the top five of the running list of bad choices I’ve made in my life.

I’d gone into the kitchen after the tub had filled to pour my coffee, and while I was in there, Kenny managedto wedge his fluffy orange butt through the window I’d left open to let the steam out.

I’d returned to the bathroom to find the window flung wide open, then heard him yowling from the big branch that brushed against the side of the building.

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