Page 76 of The Love Trick

I’d probably just marry her the next day, too. Skip the dating stuff.

I laugh out loud at how absolutely ridiculous I sound. Knowing Addy, she wouldn’t give me more than five seconds before she flipped me off and sent me on my way. I know her well enough to know that she’ll give me the cold shoulder.

But still, I could just tell her right now, get it off my chest…

I reach for my phone and pull up her number, hitting the call button. I put it to my ear, trying to breathe as I prepare myself.I’m sorry. I love you, too.That’s it. That’s all I have to say, and then we’ll figure it out from there. I don’t have to have all the answers right now.

The call goes straight to voicemail.

I furrow my brow and try again.

Nope. Straight to voicemail. Again.

I type out a text to her.

Me:I know I messed up and I am so sorry. Can we talk?

I hit send and watch intently, waiting to see if it’s been read. And that’s when I notice my text message doesn’t show the usual “delivered” message underneath. Which can only mean one thing.

Addy blocked me.

My heart rattles my chest as yet another fear is realized. Addy is done with me. It reallyistoo late.

How am I ever going to fix this?

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Addy

Sometimes,youhavetojust try and move on.

And that’s what I’m doing. One small step at a time.

I glance down at my phone on my bathroom counter, knowing there won’t be anything from Blaze.

I blocked him.

Was it a harsh move?Yes.

But my hearthurts,and I can barely get through the day without crying.

It feels like a decade-long marriage has come to an end—not that I know what that feels like, but this is more than just the end of a little fling. This hurts so deeply that I think I might die.

It’s been almost a week since everything went down between us at that rooftop bar, and he’s yet to show face. Not that I expect him to. He probably knows he’s blocked. But I don’t know for sure.

“Addy, are you in there?” Mom calls out.

“Coming,” I reply, straightening my shoulders and my freshly styled hair.

I’ve taken my mom up on her styling advice, and now Ilookthe part of the wealthy daughter. My black tank top is free of dog hair and stains, my jeans are designer, and my Gucci sneakers have replaced my Vans. This feels like a costume, but clearly I’ve been doing things wrong prior to this, so I have to try something new—reinvent myself.

“Wow,” Mom says as I step out of the bathroom. She’s been coming over a lot more, and I’m pretty sure she’s worried about me.

“You look nice. Ready for lunch?”

I nod, plastering on a fake smile. “Absolutely.”

“Aurora will be there,” she says as we head toward my front door. “She’s so excited to see you. I think their extra-long honeymoon has made her heart grow fonder of us.” Mom elbows me, and I force a laugh.

---