Page 43 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

“Of course you do,” I agree instantly. I love Sue’s mom, and it breaks my heart to think of her being in pain.

“It’s probably a blessing in disguise. I could use some time away from Greg right now. I need to get away from my cheating husband.”

“Sue,” I start to say, shaking my head adamantly.

She ignores me. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but it’s going to be at least a month or more.”

“I’m sorry I won’t be here, but I’ll be back before the ball, and we can talk every day if you want. It’ll be like I never left,” she says confidently, reaching across the table to clasp my own hands now.

“I understand, it just sucks that I have to plan this event by myself. So much for giving myself a head start. I know I’m a professional event planner and all, but we’ve always done this one together. It’s going to be a lot of work without you,” I mutter, my face no doubt mirroring the sudden exhaustion I feel.

“Not necessarily,” Sue says.

“What do you mean?”

“You won’t be alone. You’ll have help,” she shrugs.

“Oh, you mean Katie? She’s got a big project she’s working on right now and won’t have time to take on anything else.”

“I don’t mean Katie,” Sue cuts me off.

“Then what do you mean?” I ask, elbows leaning forward on the table.

“Okay, but you have to promise me you’ll keep an open mind,” she says.

I’m not sure I like the sound of this.

“What would I need to keep an open mind for?” I ask, suspicion creeping into my tone.

“Well, when I was thinking about who I could get to help you, it occurred to me that a division of one of the new companies that Cole just purchased does event planning, so who better to help?” she says a little too sweetly.

For reasons I don’t want to think of too closely, my belly does a flip at the mention of his name. Sue is still talking, but I can’t make out her words past the raging noise that suddenly fills my ears.

I stare at her speechlessly for a moment, waiting for her to burst into laughter at the joke she’s playing on me.

Silence.

She can’t possibly be serious, right?

“Cole, as in Cole Matthews?” I ask slowly.

“Yes, and I know you two got off on the wrong foot, but this could be an opportunity to make amends. I’ve known Cole for years now, Lila. He’s not a bad person, I swear. I know how you feel about him, but maybe you both just need to—”

“The wrong foot? Sue, he called me a failure and a loser. You agreed with me that he was an asshole, remember?” I half yell, trying to keep my voice as low as possible, while still making sure my anger is known.

“I know I did, but in my defense, you’re my best friend and I’m supposed to take your side when someone hurts you,” she says with a smile.

“Look, I don’t excuse what he said to you. It was a jerk move, and he still owes you an apology for it, but I promise there’smore to him than what you experienced. He’s a good person, Lila. It’s unfortunate that happened, but he had a lot going on.”

“A lot going on? you’re really making excuses for him?”

“Yeah, well I know you never wanted to hear it, but he was dealing with some things. Lila, please just—”

“Just what? Ignore everything he said? What exactly is it that you want me to do here, Sue?” I ask her tightly.

“All he had to do was sit at a table, sip cocktails, and clap when the couple walked in. Plus, he’s had eight years to apologize. Plenty of time to realize how fucked up it was how he treated me.”

She sighs, her hands clasped so tightly together that I worry she might snap something.

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