Page 58 of Free to Believe
“I was drowning in Connecticut.” It feels so good to just say it. “I needed to go somewhere where I could try to find me.”
“Has it worked?”
I tilt my head back and forth. “Somewhat. Some days, the designs flow out of me with no problem. I already have a few dresses I’m finalizing. Others…” My voice trails off.
“And Jake isn’t helping.” I laugh bitterly when she brings up her cousin.
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Oh? Last night there seemed to be something for me to be concerned with.”
“Well, apparently, my not believing in happily ever after, admitting I won’t be here longer than the summer, and thinking he’s a jackass because I’d just fall at his feet seemed to change his mind.”
Dani chortles as if I’ve just told her the funniest joke in a while. “Oh, God, Em. I loved you before. But this?” She slaps her leg and howls.
“You’re weird, you know that?” I ask her.
“Yep. It’s why you adore me. I’m not some prima donna bitch.” Very true. “But Jake is likely in shock, Em. Women gag over themselves about him, and he’s turning himself stupid over the one who isn’t?” Dani can’t control her glee. “Once he processes everything you said, I guarantee you he’s going to be back. I almost wish I could have a front-row seat with some popcorn to witness how he digs himself out of this one, but I don’t think you’ll want anyone to watch during that kind of action.”
“Want to watch what, Dani?” Jenna’s changed and has come up behind us. “I left the dress inside, Em. Is that okay?” She wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes hard.
“That’s fine, sweetheart.” I glare at Dani while Jenna waits for her answer.
“What can’t you watch, Dani?” Jenna persists.
“Watching an overgrown boy learn how to become a man. It can get awfully messy. Sloppy even.” I make a choked noise in the back of my throat. “Now, let’s go get lunch and then go shopping. I want to find shoes for you that go with that dress, Jen.”
Knowing there’s no way I’m getting out of this, I say, “I’m not driving. I need a glass of wine.”
Dani grins. “Drinking won’t help.”
“Neither will your commentary, but the wine might numb both.”
Dani just throws her head back and laughs.
“I’ll take Mugsy for a quick walk,” Jenna exclaims. “Come on, Mugs. Come on, boy!”
The minute Jenna’s out of earshot, I turn on Dani. “It’s not happening.”
“I’m pretty certain it is.”
“What makes you so confident?” I demand.
Throwing an arm around my shoulders, we watch Jenna walk a slow-moving Mugsy down the beach. “Do you hear that?” Coming like a whisper on the wind, I hear the mournful wail of a saxophone. “As annoying as it was growing up, I prayed I’d hear that sound again, Em. You do that to him.”
“It’s going to end.”
Dani nods sagely. “It might.”
“I don’t want anyone hurt. I can’t deal with Jenna being hurt.”Or anyone else, I add silently.
“Then go into it with your eyes open, Em.”
“I’m not the one who walked away, Dani.” And why that’s like a beach burr stinging me, I can’t explain.
“He’ll be back,” she says confidently.
“And I care about this why?” I ask sarcastically.
