Page 36 of Follow Me to Your Heart
“At least one of us is happy.”
Taylor stopped in her tracks and glared at me. “What do you mean?”
“I’m back to feeling like it’s the streets versus me.”
“Wait. I thought Keith and Cage had sealed the deal on their first house.”
“First house?” Her hands flew to her mouth as her eyes expanded. Slowly, she swayed her head from side to side, but it was too late. “Don’t get quiet on me now, Tay. What are you talking about?”
“Cage didn’t tell you?”
“Nope.”
Taylor’s head swiveled around as if she was making sure we were alone before leaning in and explaining. “I don’t want to say too much, but from what Keith told me, they met with a broker to start flipping houses in the hood. They don’t necessarily want to gentrify the area, but they want to rebuild for the women and people who can’t afford to leave the area. It’s really dope, honestly. Keith said it was Cage’s idea.”
Cage and his big heart. I loved it so much. The idea was amazing. They could truly change some lives, but I wondered why he didn’t want to tell me about it.
“That’s dope as hell. I had no idea, Taylor. Cage told me he was working on something, but he didn’t want to go into detail about anything until it was set in stone. I’m guessing with the way he’s been moving lately, it’s not set.”
“I don’t think it is. Keith did say Cage left the meeting early to handle something when O’Shea called.”
I scoffed and shook my head. “Of course, he did. That’s his problem now. That’s why I’m pissed with him. He was supposed to take me to meet with Sienna, but he’s with his boss.”
“Don’t hold it against him, Korren. I know you. Cage is trying. I imagine it can’t be easy for him to give up all he knows for something that isn’t guaranteed. Be patient with him. Encourage him. He’ll get it together.”
Leave it to Taylor to take Cage’s side. I did agree with her, but it was a lot easier said than done.
The Journey arrived, so I put Nema in her kennel, and we left. I opened the door to climb inside the car to see a bouquet of white lilies. My phone chimed. It was a text from Cage, apologizing again and promising to make it up to me. I glanced up at Taylor who winked at me. I texted Cage back, letting him know I loved him.
The ride to Camden Cove was quick. Sienna and I were meeting at her favorite coffee shop. I figured she’d be a little upset seeing Taylor with me, but Taylor promised to sit at a different table to give us privacy.
Sienna was there waiting for me when we arrived. Her smile quickly faded when she noticed Taylor trailing in behind me. Taylor waved at Sienna then went to place her order.
“Hey, Sienna,” I greeted and sat across from her.
She slid an iced caramel macchiato over to me and smiled. “Thanks for meeting me, Korren. I didn’t know we’d have company.”
“No need in worrying about Taylor sitting with us. I asked her to tag along because I needed her, but she’s not sitting in on our conversation.”
“I guess you don’t need me anymore, huh?”
I jerked my head back and frowned. “Excuse me?”
“She’s always around. It seems as if you’ve forgotten about me.”
“Says the girl who left me hanging when I could’ve easily been raped. Taylor was there trying to defend and help me while you’d drunkenly left with someone you didn’t even know. Even after finding out what happened, you never reached out to make sure I was good, Sienna. You kept shit short and cute, so don’t try to throw all this on me because Taylor has been a true friend. The last thing I expected was to come here and point fingers, but if that’s what you want to do, I’m out.”
The heat coursing through my veins had my entire body hot. The audacity of Sienna to throw Taylor in my face as if she was the problem. I snatched my coffee off the table and took a big gulp. It needed to be something stronger for me to deal with Sienna.
Sienna wet her lips and bowed her head. When she lifted it, tears stained her cheeks. It didn’t move me. She could save them.
“I’m sorry, Korren.”
“Are you? Because there’s been something off with you lately.”
“Everything in my life is changing, and I don’t know how to take it.”
“Everything in my life has changed too, Sienna, but I’ve tried. I’ve tried to keep our relationship the same. I’ve tried talking to you despite the distance. This rift in our friendship didn’t happen overnight. It started when we went our separate ways.”
