Page 140 of Rewind It Back

Miller is laughing. “No one actually thought that, Rio.”

“You really think we believed you went on these first dates and not a single person was interested in a second?” Indy laughs. “First of all, have you looked in a mirror? And secondly, you’re you. Who wouldn’t be interested?”

“What the hell?” My voice rises. “I hit on every single one of you over the years. And none of you were interested.”

Kennedy rolls her eyes. “We don’t count.”

“I’m just saying,” Indy continues, “we knew you weren’t as hopeless as you led us to believe you were, but I wasn’t going to push you to tell me why you wanted us to think that.”

I huff a laugh. “I guess I thought it was easier to sell that story than have to explain whyIwasn’t interested in anyone. I didn’t want you to know about Hallie because I know what you all would’ve said.”

Indy lifts a brow. “That you should go get her?”

“Exactly.”

Stevie sits up. “Well then, we’ll say it now. Rio, you should go get her.”

Miller holds up her nearly empty beer. “Take it from me. There’s no point in running away.”

“Again,” Kennedy tacks on.

I shake my head. “She’s not going to forgive me.”

“Honey,” Indy coos. “I saw the way she looked at you the night she helped watch the kids. She already has. It sounds like the only person who hasn’t forgiven you is you.”

“Yeah,” Miller agrees. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.”

I can’t help but laugh at the directness. “Well, damn.”

“I’m sorry, I’m not great at soft and sweet, but Rio, come on. You running away again is not only punishing you, but it’s also punishing her. You said it yourself, you’ve already fucked up once, so don’t go fucking it up again. Simple as that.”

“I’m not running away.”

“Does she know that?”

My attention flicks to Kennedy, Stevie, and Indy to confirm at least one of them is going to cut in and say something to the effect of “of course she knows.” But they’re all looking at me too, silently asking the same question.

“Yes,” I finally say. “Of course she knows I’m not. I put the ball in her court weeks ago. I told her that when she was ready to give us another chance, so was I.”

“Oh my God.” Kennedy falls back onto the couch. “Have we taught you nothing?”

“Rio,” Stevie scolds. “Come on.”

Miller is shaking her head. “Ind, do you want to take this one? You’re going to be nicer than me.”

Indy smiles at me weakly. “Rio, honey. My sweet angel of a best friend, you’re killing me here. I get that Hallie had time to forgive you because she had years to process this all, and that you needed time to forgive yourself, but the ball is inyourcourt right now. If she understands you as well as it seems she does, I’d suspect she knows that you’re busy beating yourself up over all of this and she’s waiting for you to tell her whenyou’reready to let that go.”

“No,” I argue. “No, I’m waiting for her.”

They all wait for me expectantly.

Hallie hasn’t seemed off since we got home from Minnesota or acted differently at all. She hasn’t given me the cold shoulder or actively avoided me. She still shoots me that same excited smile anytime I show up at her work to drive her home. She still texts me a thank-you message with about a thousand exclamation points each morning after she finds the latte I left for her on her doorstep.

Holy shit.I’m an idiot.

I shoot up from my seat. “Why didn’t you guys tell me?”

Kennedy cocks her head. “We just did.”

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