Page 10 of Love Letter Lost
Amber rushed to fill in details. “My sister was following her too closely and rear-ended her at a stop sign. Also, I just realized I don’t even know your name.”
“Clearly, we’re all missing import information.” Livvy stepped forward, taking control of the moment. “How about we back up and start this conversation from the beginning? I’m Livvy.” She thrust her hand out in front of Amber, who took it with a practiced smile. “I’m Ridge’s childhood friend and the bride at the wedding Saturday.”
“Nice to meet you! Rigdon has told me so much about you and your group of friends. I’m Amber.” She wrapped her arm around Ridge’s waist, giving him an adoring look. “I’m Rigdon’s girlfriend.”
I watched Ridge for his reaction to Amber’s use of his full name. Growing up, no one had called him Rigdon. That is, no one except his parents—when he was in trouble. Apparently, a lot could change in ten years, more than I’d ever imagined possible.
Livvy cleared her throat, pulling me out of my thoughts and back into the conversation.
“I’m Mallory, Livvy’s cousin.”And one of Ridge’s childhood friends.“Nice to officially meet you.”
“Likewise. Sorry again about Ella. She can be a bit…dramatic.”
“That’s an understatement.” Ridge gave a laugh, breaking the odd tension that had drifted into our circle.
“You should have heard her when we got home.” Amber gave a shake of her head and joined in Ridge’s laughter. “‘Daddy, it wasn’t my fault. The girl responsible was so mean. She stopped suddenly, and I couldn’t avoid hitting her, and she completely ruined Amber’s car.’” Amber said the words in a high, whiney voice remarkably similar to her sister’s. “As you can see,” Amber gestured toward the blue sports car across the street, “my car is mostly fine and, with a few repairs, will be as good as new.”
Quiet filled the circle for a moment as we took in Amber’s car. My mind scrambled to find something to say, coming up blank.
“Anyway,” Amber stepped away from Ridge and gestured to the car, “we’ve got to get going. We’re late for dinner with my parents. and I hate keeping Daddy waiting. He was hoping to discuss the law firm internship with you over dinner.”
“Amber, I don’t know if I’ve gotten the internship yet. Besides, I don’t want to be a lawyer. I want to teach.”
“Daddy talked to Bill yesterday, and he said you getting it was basically a sure thing. If that doesn’t work out, I’m sure Daddy has some projects you could start this week that will help with your law school application.” Amber gave us another smile and wave before tugging Ridge toward her car. “It was so nice to meet the two of you. Livvy, good luck with the wedding plans!”
Ridge glanced back at us as he followed Amber across the street. “It was good to see you, Livvy. I’ll let you know about dinner Friday.” Ridge waved at Livvy and ignored me as he and Amber climbed into her car and drove away.
“Well, that was…” I stopped, unsure what word best described the situation.
“Awkward? Uncomfortable? Strange?” Livvy supplied, looping her arm through mine and dragging me toward the house. “She is not who I pictured for Ridge. I meanRigdon.”
I snorted. “That’s an understatement.”
We reached the door and I pulled away from Livvy. She pretended not to notice as she led the way into the house. I made a beeline for the table, hesitating when I noticed my drink was gone.
“It’s in the fridge. I wasn’t sure how long you’d be gone…” Livvy trailed off, watching me.
I pulled my drink from the fridge, took a deep breath, and turned to face Livvy. Despite the distraction of earlier, it was time for Livvy and me to face the letter and the secret she had kept from me.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Livvy sankinto a chair at the kitchen table, tapping her fingers on the tabletop. “On a scale from ‘mild inconvenience due to a long line at the soda shop’ to ‘dealing with a flooding bathtub after a new renovation,’ how angry are you right now?”
I took a swallow of my drink, buying myself time as I considered. “More than dealing with unobservant drivers cutting me off on the freeway, but less than finding my fiancé cheating on me with his receptionist.”
“That feels like a wide range. Either that or you have more inner road rage than I realized.”
I settled into the seat across from Livvy, using my giant cup as a barrier between us and the difficult conversation ahead.
“Livvy, I love you, but you had no right to keep that letter from me.” I forced the words past the lump in my throat and looked up to watch my cousin and best friend.
She flinched at my words, a sad smile tugging at her lips. “You say that now, but I remember how hard everything was for you following the accident. You were in so much pain and barely left your house.”
“I was dealing with a broken arm and multiple surgeries.”
“It wasn’t just that, though. It was like something inside you was gone, like everything that made you vibrant and exciting and energetic andyouhad been a casualty of that crash. It took weeks of me constantly pestering for you to finally come visit, and when you did, you didn’t want to leave my house.”
I shook my head at Livvy’s words, shying away from the picture she painted. “It wasn’t that bad.”
