Page 79 of A Me and Him Thing
Her confidence floors me. She and Sawyer have absolutely renewed their relationship. Of course, I already knew that.
“I needed my Melanie today.” She sees the world through a different lens.
“And I need my sassy Scarlett, so start being yourself again.”
“Within limits,” I add.
“Yeah, okay. Agreed.”
We smile at each other, and I swear the weight of the world is lifted off my shoulders.
Will we be besties again? No, not after my betrayal.
Friends? Yes. Every now and again.
“Tell me about this great love you’ve found. Is it Ren?”
“Yes, it’s Ren. He’s the one. He’s so good. I mean, to his very core. And for some odd reason, he loves me too. Even though he knows every single bad thing I’ve ever done, he still loves me. I don’t get it.”
“I do,” Quinn says. “He sees the real you. Hate to break it to you, Bree, but you’re good on the inside. So good that you dropped your own life to take care of my daughters. Do you know how much that means to me? You’re selfless and beautiful. You’re generous, kindhearted, and thoughtful.”
“I tried to steal your husband,” I say firmly, as if that one sentence makes everything she just said a big fat lie.
“While that’s true, and it wasn’t your finest moment, it doesn’t change the fact that you have a huge heart and so much love to give.”
“I was horrible to you when you returned home.” It’s a fact that makes me cringe inside.
“You were,” Quinn agrees. “But you’ve apologized. Just don’t do it again.”
“Deal.” I’m again taken aback by her confidence. She knows I’m not a threat to her marriage.
Quinn goes on. “As I was saying, there’s so much love inside you, you’re going to burst if you don’t have someone to give it to. You’re compassionate. You’ll drop everything to go and help someone in need. You say it differently than I do, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
“Are you talking about me? The sarcastic Breanna Kingston?”
“Yes, you. You hide behind sarcasm to protect your heart.”
I do? I guess I need to work on that. Add it to the list.
Then I think about the story Ren told me about the tribes in South Africa. Quinn is my tribe. She’s it. She has always seen the good in me. She’s sitting across from me praising me and telling me how good I am.
The tribes in South Africa are correct. It changes me. I see my worth. I’m being told I’m good; therefore, I am good. I’m being told I’m kindhearted; therefore, I am.
Ren did the same thing. He changed me. He built me up.
It’s my turn to wipe away a tear or two. “Thank you, Quinn.”
“So what’s the problem with Ren?”
Our food arrives then, interrupting our conversation. We both ordered soup and salad, but the servings are huge.
“He’s married.” I take a large forkful of salad as if I didn’t just blurt out something huge.
Quinn’s expression conveys surprise. “What?”
“You heard me right. He’s a devoted husband and father. A sexy one, but he’s as domestic as they come.”
“I don’t understand. If he’s devoted, why was he spending so much time with you?” Quinn’s fork is frozen between her plate and her mouth.
