Page 37 of Your Second Chance
“Wait for us, love,” I said, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.
“Can’t make promises,” she shot back, spinning away from me.
With a quick gesture, she hailed a cab, the rain bouncing off her sweater as she climbed in without a second glance.
I shook my head, laughing to myself as I watched her go. She was infuriating, impossible, and absolutely brilliant all at once.
Turning on my heel, I sprinted toward the training ground, determined to grab Mum before Nova actually opened that envelope without us. If the baby was a part of her story, it wouldn’t deter me. I wanted a part of it, too... even as a side character.
14
nova
“It’s freezing outside,” Luna huffed as she stepped into the pub, pulling off her oversized white fuzzy earmuffs and shaking off the chill like she’d returned from a trek across the Arctic.
Londoners were always so effortlessly chic, their wardrobes filled with muted tones, structured coats, and leather boots. But Luna? She never changed. She was vibrant and unapologetically herself, and it was one of the reasons I loved her so much.
Today, she was out of her usual yoga gear, dressed instead in bright blue jeans that hugged her legs and a baby-pink sweater. She looked like a candy-colored pop of joy in a sea of grays and blacks.
“Gender reveal and all,” she said teasingly, catching the side-eye I gave her outfit.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips as I hugged her tightly. We found a small table tucked into the corner and slid into the seats.
“How was your promotion?” I asked as we settled in.
“Phenom,” Luna cheered. “I’m going to be managing most of the local studios now, which means less teaching but, yay, more money.”
“Luna,” I shrieked, practically bouncing in my seat. “This is huge news! It’s amazing. Why did you wait until now to tell me? Why not text?”
“You’ve got a lot going on.”
I’d been so wrapped up in my own sadness, my depression, and everything going on withme. It had been all-consuming, and I hadn’t stopped to think about how it was affecting Luna or our friendship.
That’s not how friendship should be. It shouldn’t feel one-sided or like a burden. She’d been there for me, and I took without giving back.
“I’m sorry,” I said earnestly. “That’s not how this works. We tell each other everything, okay? Always.”
Luna didn’t miss a beat. She squeezed my hand tightly. “Nova, you don’t have to apologize for needing me. That’s what sisters do. We hold each other up when the other one can’t. That’s never been a burden. Ever.”
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, and I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. I didn’t have words big enough for what that meant, so I just squeezed her hand back.
“Now,” she said with a grin, leaning in like she was about to share the world’s best secret, “are we opening that envelope or what?”
When I sheepishly told her we had to wait because Ollie and his mom were coming, her brows shot up so high I thought they might disappear into her hairline.
“What?” she shrieked, loud enough to turn heads across the pub.
She flailed with the force of a dramatic soap opera character, nearly knocking over the table in her excitement.
The poor waitress blinked twice, then quickly excused herself to avoid getting caught in the Luna storm.
I burst out laughing. Real, shaking, hiccuping laughter. Tears welled in my eyes for an entirely different reason as I doubled over.
“Dude, shut it,” I gasped, clutching my stomach. “You’re going to get us kicked out.”
Luna was undeterred, grinning from ear to ear as she flopped back into her chair. “Oh, this is serious.” She pointed a finger at me. “You can’t even admit it.The mom,Nova. You’ve got themomcoming here! Oh my god.” She shook her head, laughing harder. “You’re funny, Nove. You’re so wrapped up in him, and you don’t even realize it.”
“I am not,” I snapped, though my tone was weak, my voice wavering under the weight of my denial.
