Page 140 of You Kissed Me First

“Ah. He looked real sad, but wouldn’t really say why he didn’t leave with you,” she whispers.

“I didn’t want him having to rush off because of me, is all.”

Part of me is relieved he didn’t immediately admit to our relationship being fake, or even worse, tell everyone we broke up.

He could have said anything he wanted, and I would have had to go along with it because I left. I didn’t give him a chance to discuss how we would end it.

“I’m sure you’re excited to see him today then. I know he has been moping around the past couple days. I think he misses you.” Abby giggles.

“Of course he does,” Samantha chimes in. “He has been a miserable ass without you, Katie. Trust me, the guys are going to be happy you are here if only to put Dom in a better mood.”

I blush, wanting to believe what they are saying. Could he really be missing me like I’m missing him?

“Casey, you’re up next for hair. Katie, you didn’t bring your dress down here. Let’s go get it.” Nessa grabs my arm, pulling me from the room.

As soon as the door shuts, we start walking. “What’s that about? I could have gotten my dress myself.”

She glares at me. “We are going to have a talk, missy.”

I swallow hard. I knew she’d be pissed, but I didn’t expect her to want to hash this out before her wedding.

We get to my room, each taking a seat on the bed.

“I’m sorry I was ignoring your calls. I have a good reason, I promise,” I tell her.

“Oh, so it wasn’t because you abandoned Dominic on a ship all by himself, confused as fuck about what he did to make you run?” She quirks an eyebrow, crossing her arms across her chest.

“Of course not. I mean, I told you why I left, but that’s not why I haven’t been answering.”

She gives me a look like “I’m waiting.”

So I sigh. “I was laid off from the newspaper, which I told you, but I haven’t been able to find anything else. Unless I want to deplete my savings, I can’t afford to stay in my apartment, so I’ve been packing so I can move back in with Mom and Dad.”

She gasps. “Katie, why didn’t you tell me?”

My eyes are tearing up now. “I’ve been such a mess. I didn’t want to bring you down. I felt like it was one thing after another. First, I caught Barrett cheating. Then the newspaper laid me off. Then the only job I could manage to find was a barista. I felt like a failure. I think that’s why I freaked out when I saw that text from that chick on Dominic’s phone. I couldn’t stand the one bright spot in my life to end on a sour note. I needed that trip to remain my positive.”

“Oh, baby girl.” Nessa pulls me in for a hug. “You’ve been carrying this all on your own. I’m your best friend and sister. You should have told me.”

“I didn’t want to put a damper on your wedding. Besides, I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Mom was able to get me an interview with the local newspaper. It doesn’t pay much, and it’s part-time, but at least I’ll still be reporting news. I think I’m also going to take on some freelance work. Really, I just need some time to get back on my feet.” I hug her back as fiercely as she’s hugging me.

“So you didn’t leave Dominic because you want to get back with Barrett?”

I pull back from her, eyes wide. “Fuck no. Why would you think that?”

“I don’t think that, but that’s what Dominic thinks. He thinks the space you needed was to decide if you wanted to take Barrett back. Also, you should ask him about Sasha. I think you jumped the gun on that one.”

I give her a small smile. “I know I did. I knew I was in the moment, but you know how you are so hormonal, and you can feel yourself getting worked up over nothing and overreacting, but you can’t stop it. It’s like a train wreck that you can’t look away from, but you can’t stop it either? That’s how I was that morning. It’s why I left. If I had stayed, I would have made it worse. I didn’t expect him to actually give me space though. I prayed he would call.”

She chuckles. “Communication. I swear I told you how many times to communicate with the man? This is why. Now I want you to promise me when he seeks you out tonight that you will listen to what he has to say. No more running. It was cute when you were a kid, but you’re an adult now. Stay and figure shit out.”

“Alright. I can do that. Can it wait until the reception at least? If we talk before we get you down the aisle, I’ll cry, which will ruin whatever makeup you have planned for me.”

She smiles wider. “Oh, he’s going to wait until the reception. I can promise you that.”

* * *

She’s gorgeous.

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