Page 69 of No Place Like Home
Why did my best friend have to be so perfect, and so good at making speeches?
“I’ve got to go,” she continued. “But I didn’t want to leave without saying this to you. Promise me you’ll think about what I said.”
Like I could tell her no. I nodded. “Yes. I will.”
She beamed at me. “Great,” she said as she bounced on the balls of her feet. “Thank you.” She pulled me in for a hug.
I laughed and hugged her back. “Okay, okay. Let’s get you to Kai. You need to get out of here.”
I watched with everyone else, cheering as the limo drove Kora and Kai down the winding driveway and out of view. I smiled. Couldn’t help it. As I’d watched Kora walk toward Kai and seen his face light up with love at the sight of her, my heart filled with joy. Their embrace and kiss seemed different than it had all night. In normal clothes, they looked more in love, and it seemed more official.
Yep, marriage looked good on both of them. Not that I had any doubt.
“It’s good to see you smiling.” Darlene wrapped her arm around my shoulders.
“How could I not? Those two are finally married. They looked different just now. Like they were meant for each other.”
“Yeah, marriage will do that to you.”
“Maybe they’ll stop being all disgusting all the time,” I said.
“I doubt it. Do you think Bryson and I aren’t disgusting anymore?”
I thought about it. They’d been married for almost six years, and yes, they were still quite disgusting. “Nope. I guess it takes decades to wear off.”
“Whatever, Summer. You love us.”
“No shit,” I said, then laughed and pulled her in for a hug.
“I’m glad you’re happier than you were a bit ago. Maybe you can go talk to Rowan? He really wants to talk with you.”
My happiness evaporated instantly, and I pushed her gently away. “Did you come over here to bask in the happiness of our best friend, or to get me to talk to Rowan?”
Her shoulders met her ears. “He’s one of our best friends.”
“Such a bitch.”
“No. I did come over here to bask in the joy of Kora going off on her honeymoon, but letting you know Rowan wanted to talk didn’t seem like such a bad suggestion.”
“I can’t.”
“Summer, why not? You’re being ridiculous.”
“Stay out of it, Darlene. Please. And tell him to stay somewhere else tonight.” I walked quickly away, and in typical Darlene style, she followed behind me as I entered the house to clean up.
“Stop, Summer. There’s more than you not being able to love Rowan, because I know that’s bullshit. You love him, everyone can see that. So, what’s really bothering you?” She grabbed my arm and turned me toward her. “Talk to me, Summer.”
Her eyes, filled with concern, spoke volumes. She and Kora were the best. They were like the sisters I never had—and never needed, because I had them.
They were my friends who were always there when my life was falling apart after my parents’ divorce, and when my first boyfriend broke my heart and walked away because Rowan scared him off.
Because they were always there, I should be able to confide in them. I sighed deep and a sudden feeling of exhaustion and defeat filled me. I sunk into the couch, “You’re right. There’s more,” I said, and placed my head in my hands.
She sat next to me on the edge of the cushion and faced me.
Telling Darlene now might make it easier to tell Kora later. I took in a shuddering breath. I couldn’t keep this to myself any longer—it was eating away at me. Once I got it out, they would understand.
I took a large cleansing breath and said, “Do you remember how bad my periods were when I was in high school? I missed a week of school and ended up at the doctor?”
