Page 27 of Broken

Rosalie finished making their hot chocolate andmoved to the fridge, appearing with a can of cream. “Extra cream?”

“You’ve got it.”

The cream was swirled on top, and Rosalie held outher mug. She took a sip, and it was scalding hot but tasted good. She grabbed apaper towel because the extra cream was on her nose.

They made their way to the sitting room. Rosaliecurled up on one end of the couch, and Petal took the other.

“So, how is married life treating you?” Petalasked. “He better be good to you, otherwise I will make sure to castrate himthe next time I see him. That is a guaranteed promise.”

Rosalie laughed. “Don’t, please don’t. Colt and Iare making it work.”

“Making it work? You’re just a walkingadvertisement for married life, aren’t you?”

Another chuckle. “It’s good. I think I’m justafraid.”

“Of what?”

“Admitting how good it is.”

“Why?”

Rosalie sighed. “I don’t know if you’ve noticedbut whenever something is good, someone or something seems intent on taking itaway from us. Haven’t you noticed that?”

Petal nodded. “Yeah, I have.”

“To say I am in love with Colt and that I’m happy,to say it out loud, it’s like the universe will take it away from me, and thatterrifies me. I love my life.”

Petal reached out and grabbed Rosalie’s hand. “Itwouldn’t dare take anything from you. I won’t let it.”

“I lost Mom,” Rosalie said. “And I nearly lostyou.”

She saw the tears shining in Rosalie’s eyes.

“What if I lose this baby?” Rosalie asked.

“Stop,” Petal said. Her whole body felt like itwas being repeatedly stabbed. “You’ve got to stop thinking this way.”

“Something bad is going to happen.”

“No, it’s not. Bad stuff happens all the time, andit’s not your fault and it’s not even pointing at you. Bad stuff is just that—bad—andthere is nothing we can do about it. You’re going to be a great mom. I mean,the jury is still out on Colt, because I still don’t like him.”

Rosalie laughed. “You’ve got to like him. He’s myhusband.”

Petal wrinkled her nose. “I don’t have to like him,and until I know for sure he has your best interests at heart, I don’t likehim.”

Her friend chuckled. “I have missed this. You andme.”

“I’ve missed it too.”

“We should do this more often.”

Petal smiled. “We should try. I don’t think yourhusband is too keen on sharing you with your best friend.”

“Tough. You and I are besties for life, forever.We promised, remember? We share everything together. You and me.”

And there was the guilt. Kim knew the truth. Mythknew some of what happened. She had not told Rosalie anything. Knowing that herfriend was now in love with her husband, Petal was never going to tell her.

Rosalie didn’t need to know what happened. It wasall in the past and the consequences disappeared the day Gabrielle died.

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