Page 155 of Sunshine

It made me feel safer than I’d felt since my parents died, knowing they would be there for me no matter what I did. “She used to be my best friend. She didn’t used to be this…petty on aregular basis. It popped up here and there, but never this much. I think that’s why this outburst shocked me so much.”

“Things get harder when you get older. Your old ways of handling things stop working and you’re forced to find something new or become stagnant.” Julian kissed my temple again, sweet affection pouring through the bond. He didn’t seem able to stop himself from loving on me. “I’m happy that she was there for you when you needed her. Becca too. But that doesn’t change that both she and Becca betrayed you in all the ways that matter.”

I mentally rubbed the wound. “That’s true.”

I thought about the last year. How it felt like Talia had changed, but assumed it was just a rough patch. We could overcome it, work through our problems.

But that required both of us to be actively trying to work through our feelings. And when push came to shove, Talia preferred to blame me or other people than own up to her failures.

It was time to let go.

I petted his hand around my waist. “You don’t know what a relief it is to know that you love me.”

“You’re stuck with me forever.” Julian squeezed me against him. “I was trying to give you space, but once I found out like you had a crush on me you were a goner.”

I laughed.

“You had no hope of escaping our love.”

“Good.” I cuddled against my omega. “Maybe some of it was my own ego. Wanting to make it work and not be a bad friend.”

Julian pulled me tightly against him. “Nothing wrong with that. But you’re not a bad friend. It’s okay to let go of relationships that aren’t working anymore.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon cuddled against Julian. We played Race to Win with the rest of the company, and thankfullynone of them acted like it was strange I was there, hanging out. Chloe had two of her packmates stop by and I stopped feeling so weird.

That night, I thanked Logan for helping me in a bind, and Luca for being so supportive. I told them what happened, and they cuddled me on the couch until I was floating on the bliss of their love.

Maybe I held on so hard and long because I was afraid of losing people. But if this friendship was truly over, I needed to let it go and make room in my life for better things.

I had my pack now, my career was taking off, and I had my family. If my friends didn’t want to be part of that, that was their loss.

Chapter 37

Sunshine

Almost a week later I was buried in work. Ginny was running errands, shopping for some new venues.

Ember poked her head into my office. “Checking to make sure you’re good for Mrs. Cullen’s event?”

“Everything is going to be great.” I grinned. Now that Ginny took the time-consuming events off my plate, I’d been able to spend time and energy making it perfect. It was only a couple of weeks away and I was getting excited and nervous in equal measure.

“Good, that means you have time to check out a sexy beta dude in the waiting room.”

“I’m all packed up now.” I couldn’t help but feel smug. I had men who loved me despite my occasional descent into being a hot mess.

“Doesn’t mean you can’t help me look.”

“Fine.” I laughed. “I doubt I will find him as sexy as you, but I’m game.”

My phone chimed.

It was Talia.

Talia:

I don’t know what I was thinking, but I’m sorry

I didn’t mean to go off on you like that

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