Page 83 of Promise Not To Fall

2 oz. white rum

2 oz. club soda

6-8 mint leaves

2 tbsp. simple syrup (equal amounts of sugar and water)

fresh juice of 1/2 lime

a lime wedge

In a Collins, highball, or hurricane glass, muddle all but one fresh mint leaf with the simple sugar and lime juice.

Top glass with ice.

Add the rum and the club soda.

Stir well and add last mint leaf and lime wedge as garnish.

1 tbsp. sugar or 1 teaspoon powdered sugar may be substituted for simple syrup.

Rylee pushes her sunglasses up and looks over at me as we sit outside a small café in Scottsdale. “You took the job?”

I nod, barely able to control myself. It’s late August, and the sun is relentless, reminding me of why I love living in Phoenix. But it’s not where I want to be. I want the heaviness of the island. I want the lingering reminder of the day on my skin.

A crease forms between Rylee’s brows. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me.”

Saying goodbye to Rylee is difficult. She’s been with me through it all, and now we won’t even be in the same country.

Rylee understands, though. She always does. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Really?” I beam at her.

“No. I hate you. Don’t talk to me about your perfect life.”

I laugh, reminded of me telling her those very same words. Wesley and Rylee have completely separated from each other, and she’s now living in my apartment and will be taking over my lease when I leave. Just last week, way too soon as far as I’m concerned, Wesley married a girl they both went to college with.

I know that hurt Rylee a little, but I think she understands they both made mistakes. No, I know she understands it because she has a permanent reminder of it growing inside her.

“Have you spoken with Nash?” I ask slowly.

Rylee sighs. “I have a secret plan.”

“What’s that?”

“If I told you” —her eyes widened— “it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?”

Knowing she’s only teasing, I smile sincerely at her, realizing how much I’m going to miss conversations like this. “So he doesn’t know?”

“No. I haven’t spoken to Nash at all. I don’t even think he knew my name that night.” She shakes her head. “I don’t even know if it’s his.”

“It could be Wesley’s?”

“Yes,” she admits quietly, then rolls her eyes. “My life is a complete disaster, but I don’t feel like it is, you know? I feel okay.” I nod, smiling as she continues. “It’s strange. It’s like it’s the way it was supposed to be.” That’s when Rylee turns to me, her palms on my cheeks. “Trust him. Let him in and trust him this time. Trust that he won’t hurt you.”

I choke back tears. “And if he does?”

“Then you know you gave your heart and that’s all anyone can ever do. Don’t regret it. It’s not worth it.”

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