Page 99 of Not A Chance

I laughed. “An intervention for what?”

“This whole arranged-marriage business your stupid father is trying to pull!” The words burst from Emery’s mouth, her volumeat least double that of Abbie’s.

“What? Nobody’s getting married here. I’m just biding my time until I can think of a way out of it that will make my father think it was his idea.” I shrugged, not mentioning my last few sleepless nights where I came up with exactly zero plans.

“That! That’s what I’m talking about!” Emery jabbed her finger into the table for emphasis. “You’re about to bide your time into an engagement if you’re not careful.”

I sighed. Emery was right. I needed help, and here were the two women I respected and valued most in the world.

“You’re right.” I nodded at Emery. “Can you help me figure out how to handle this?”

Twin expressions of surprise looked back at me.

“Oh my god. Do you know that this is the first time you’ve ever asked me for anything? I love you so much, Ind. Thank you for letting us be there for you the way you’ve been there for us all these years.” Abbie’s eyes welled with tears.

Whoa. A tidal wave of emotion washed over me. I’d never wanted to ask for anything because I hated feeling like a burden. I’d always believed that it was my responsibility to take care of the few people I loved without asking for anything in return. I thought that’s what being a good friend meant.

Had I denied them the ability to reciprocate their support by pretending I could handle everything on my own?

“It’s not that we think you need the help, babe,” Emery added. “But why should you have to do everything by yourself? We’re here for you. You’ve got Theo now. Hell, my entire family loves you like you’re our own. We’re going to have your back.

“Speaking of Theo, what does he have to say about this mess?” Abbie injected quietly, her gaze sympathetic. They know me wellenough to guess I haven’t told Theo anything.

Shit. That worry about being a burden was just popping up all over the place.

“That too!” Emery pointed at both Abbie and me this time. “It’s not like I’m rushing to call him up and spill all your secrets. But that brother of mine—my nicest brother, as you know—is in love with you. He’s all the way in Toronto moping around your apartment with only a small, practically hairless pup for a companion, not knowing what to think.”

I threw up my hands in front of me as if I could stop the correctness of their words before the sounds reached me. Unfortunately, physics didn’t work that way, and I heard them loud and clear.

“Actually, he’s on his way to Dallas tonight. So he’ll be moping there, if he is at all. And Giz will be with my boss and his wife. But fine, you’re right. He doesn’t know. But he would be on the next plane out here beating his perfectly muscled caveman chest if he heard what my father was up to.”

“So?” Emery said, angling her head inquisitively.

“Sohe has this little hiccup called the contract he signed with the Tempests, and he’s not allowed to miss games. I don’t want him making any decisions that will affect his career based on me. It’s his dream, and I refuse to put him in a situation where he might make a choice he will later regret.” My traitorous eyes were slightly blurry as they filled.

“That’s really sweet, Ind.” Abbie reached across the table once more and turned her palm up, letting it sit between us. She knew I didn’t always want the touchy-feely kind of comfort, but I placed my hand over hers, taking her up on her offer this time. “And you know how much I hate saying anything you don’t want to hear, but are you worried that he would choose you over his career and then regret it?”

“Of course he’d choose you!” Emery’s tone left no room for doubt. “And he wouldn’t regret it. He’s lucky to be with you. And he knows that.”

“But what if he didn’t? I don’t think I could handle that for the second time.” My voice was quiet.

“What do you mean, second time?” Emery’s gaze sharpened.

“I kind of kissed him on Christmas when we were nineteen.” I let go of Abbie’s hand, covering my face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have. Nothing happened.”

“This calls for the gavel.” Emery picked up the utensil and banged it on the cutting board. “So that”—she pointed with the mace-like cooking tool—“is why you stopped coming to stay for the holidays since then?”

I dropped my arms to the table and nodded, now worried I’d have a second Yao-Miller sibling upset with me.

“Aw. That’s really beautiful. You took a chance at love.” Abbie’s smile was dreamy.

“Yeah, and got my heart beat into submission with the equivalent of that thing.” I pointed at the meat mallet. “That took meyearsto get past. Now that Theo and I are together, I can’t do anything that will force him to choose between the things he wants.”

“Girl, we’re going to have to have regular tree house meetings when you get home again. You are just full of secrets, aren’t you?” Emery joked, thankfully lightening the mood a little.

“I promise, you know my only two now. Pretending to date Wells in college when I was really studying in the library on weekends and the Theo kiss. That’s it, Your Honor.” I lifted my right hand as if swearing to my statement.

“Fine. But seriously, you aren’t going to sit back and let this archaic setup your father is arranging get in the way of your relationship withTheo, are you? You love him.” She gently put the mallet down again.

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