Page 44 of Salvation

This morning…I thought he’d try to kiss me. And I’m not foolish enough to pretend I wasn’t disappointed when he didn’t. The way he was with me last night…that’s the Wesley I fell in love with as a little girl. That thought alone scares the shit outof me. If it weren’t for Vivienne showing up, I would have been content staying in his bed for the entirety of the day.

We pull into a parking spot just a few doors before the coffee shop, and when I look over to ask Vivienne if she’s ready, the girl is already bolting out of her seat.

“Guess that means you’re fine?” I grumble, but quickly unbuckle and catch up to her. For being on the shorter end, she sure is eating up the distance faster than I can keep up. I suppose she’s probably doing her best not to chicken out on herself right now.

The coffee shop doors do that familiar chime I’ve grown so fond of, and Whitney looks up from where she’s writing on a notepad.Whitney’s face goes from bright red to ghostly white when she sees her sister. She drops her pen and walks around the counter, never taking her eyes off Vivienne.

“Vivi?”

“Hey, sis.” Vivienne cracks a small, sweet smile. One I know feels a little broken to her. The two meet each other in the middle, enveloping themselves in a hug. Whitney’s eyes clash over her sister’s shoulders to meet mine, and when she draws her back to scan her from head to toe, her mouth hangs open as if she can’t truly believe what she’s seeing.

Her hand falls to her stomach, and I can see that it was such a natural gesture that she freezes when Vivienne catches it. The latter takes a step back, throwing a hand over her mouth. “You’re fuckingpregnant?”

Whitney cringes. “Is it that noticeable?”

“When were you going to tell me?” The way Vivienne’s voice cracks has me instinctively reaching for her, but I take a step back. Knowing these twoneedthis moment. I know she’s refraining from looking at me, poised to strike the question at me next.But it’s not my business to share, and as much as Ivalue and love Vivienne, it’s Whitney’s decision when and where to tell her little sister.

Whitney’s eyes begin to water. “I…I’ve been meaning to. I just didn’t know when a good time would be. I was hoping I’d get to come see you but-"

Vivienne cuts her off with a hug, a sob slipping from her lips as she holds her as tight as humanly possible. Soon, Whitney’s sobs mesh with Vivienne’s. My own heart tugs in my chest at the sight.

“I’ll give you guys a few minutes, yeah?” They both shoot me grateful, watery smiles.

***

"How was it?” I ask. Whitney and Vivienne got to talk for quite a while before the former had a plethora of customers come in. We’re walking the town now, so Vivienne can get the full experience of Clover-Hills.

“Good, I think." Vivienne replies, looking at me. "She wants to meet at the bar later. Guess she’s got a pretty hard-core obsession with the fries.”

I laugh, linking my arm through hers. “That she does."

We continue to walk in silence. Grateful for the decent weather and the chatter of those milling about. I don’t miss the few men who outright gawk at the sight of Vivienne. She’s stunning, and newcomers are easily spotted in a town this quiet. We’re passing Clover-Hills Veterinary Services when she asks me,“You guys have a vet here?”

“Of course, we do.”

“Huh.”

“What are you thinking right now?”

“What if…what if I moved here?”

I abruptly stop, jolting her with me. She winces, but I force her body to look directly at me. “You can’t be serious, Viv.”

She shrugs. “I don’t have anything in New York aside from work. And I can do that here. I…I want to be here for Whitney.”

Tears shine in her already swollen eyes, and any argument I may have had about her dream job in the city flies out the window. I give her a small, understanding smile. “You know, anything that you want to do, I will support. And you’re more than welcome to stay with me.”

She nods, casting one more glance at the old vet shop. “Now.” She slings her arm over my shoulder, blinking away any lingering emotion. “Where is that little shop with the turtles?”

Chapter 44

Blake

Isit on my bed flipping through a book as Vivienne curls Elain’s hair. When we stopped at the shop, Elain was working. I was so happy that she was – glad that she’d finally get to meet one of my dearest friends. Her mom was there too, so I asked her if I could steal Elain for the night. She looked rather relieved at the idea of Elain getting out of the house.

Both of us had to practically drag Vivienne away from the glass turtles before she bought out Elain’s family’s shop. “Soooo…got a boyfriend?”

Elain blushes. “No.”

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