Page 76 of The Chances We Take

“Ellison is the only one who’s stayed. That’s why she’s mybest friend. And I know she won’t let anything happen to our friendship, but deep down I worry that one day it’s going to fizzle out and she won’t need me anymore.”

I turned my head toward her, taking in the woman next to me.

Have I been one of those people? Have I treated her like an option?

I never wanted Isa to feel like she wasn’t good enough, that she was a stepping stone on the way to something better. To me, she was so much more.

I grabbed her hand, pulling her to a stop. “I meant everything I said last night. Don’t think for a second I wasn’t being serious.” I wanted to reassure her that, just because I got scared for a moment, it didn’t mean I was going to take back what I said.

“I know you did.” She looked up at me with those big, brown doe-eyes of hers as she squeezed my hand back, a reassuring gesture. “I’m not worried. I just needed to get that off my chest.”

“Are you ready to go back inside?” I asked, the fresh air having calmed my mind. The conversation had also helped in some ways. Being able to tell Isa what was in the darkest corners of my mind without judgment was freeing.

She nodded, and we walked, side by side, back to her hotel room.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

isabelle

When we opened the door to my room, a flash of white paper caught my eye in the corner of the entrance. “Wait, look, there’s an envelope on the floor.”

“That’s weird. That definitely wasn’t there earlier.”

“It’s addressed to both of us.” I noticed the handwriting was Ellison’s, too. I opened the envelope, taking out the note inside.

Isa and Reid,

You guys are our best friends, and we love you so much, but sometimes you’re the most clueless people we’ve ever met. Hopefully by now you’ve pulled your heads out of your asses and admitted your feelings for each other (judging by the fact Reid wasn’t in his room last night we feel like you have?). And before you say anything, yes, we know. Literally everyone has seen it since the beginning. Besides you two.

As thanks for everything you’ve done for us inpreparation for our wedding, and for standing by us through the best and worst times, we want you both to take a trip to one of our favorite places in the world.

If you haven’t already realized you two are meant for each other, sorry not sorry. Maybe this will help you see it. And if you have, all we have to say is enjoy it. Life is too short to not take chances.

We love you.

Ellison & Colter.

Along with the letter was a receipt for a small cabin up in Glacier National Park for a three-night stay.

“What inThe Parent Trap?” Reid asked after he read the note they’d left for us.

I whipped my head around to him. “You knowThe Parent Trap?”

“Of course. It was Kacey’s favorite movie growing up.”

“Wow, okay. I learn something new about you every day. But also, that’s literally not the plot ofThe Parent Trap.” I laughed. “We’re reading the note together, it’s not like they individually invited us and made us show up separately.”Not like how they ambushed us by leaving us alone in a “group chat.”

“It’s close enough. They’re ambushing us with a letter and a reservation,” he countered. “It would have been the same effect if we had shown up separately.”

“I suppose you’re right. But we’re not actually…” my voice trailed off as Reid gave me a confused look.

“We’re not actually what?”

“We’re not actually going, arewe?”

“Why not?” He tilted his head slightly and raised an eyebrow.

“I mean, my sister. I told her I was going to go back home. Besides, it’s not like it’s a new place for either of us. And that’s a big step, isn’t it?” I was spewing out any excuse I could think of.

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