Page 5 of Guardian Angel

“She didn’t know you were there,” I finished for her. Aunt Joanna loved Kylie as much as I did. She wouldn’t lie to her, but she also wouldn’t have told Kylie that Aiden was in a relationship while she was at work.

Kylie nodded, taking the glass I handed her and pouring herself a generous helping of wine. She held the bottle out in silent question. I didn’t drink much, but after what had happened on my walk home, I was glad to make an exception.

“How can this hurt so much?” she whispered into her glass. “It’s been almost two years.”

“I know. But I don’t think it feels real until they find someone else.” Yeah, I was speaking from experience. Unfortunately.

“What does she have that I don’t?”

I didn’t know how to answer that. Mostly because I remembered reading that question in a book once and the answerAiden’s heartdidn’t seem all that helpful at the moment.

“You don’t need Aiden,” I said instead. “You can do better.” I loved my cousin, but Kylie did deserve someone who loved her in a way Aiden couldn’t. He cared about her, but he wasn’t head over heels in love with her. And didn’t everyone deserve to be loved like that?

“You really think so?”

I gave her a small smile. “I know so. Aiden isn’t the one. My idiot cousin couldn’t have handled you, and deep down you know that. There’s someone better.” I believed that with my whole soul. Kylie was sweet and fun and hadn’t built walls a mile high around her heart. She would find the guy who treated her the way she deserved. “Someday this won’t matter at all. You’ll be with an amazing man and thanking God that you didn’t get stuck with Aiden for the rest of your life.”

An hour later, the food was eaten, the dishes were done, and Kylie and I were sitting on the couch with our glasses of wine, watchingWhen Harry Met Sally, the obvious first of our feel-better movie marathon. We’d even cracked open the emergency carton of vegan ice cream that we kept in the freezer for nights like this.

“See, that’s me,” Kylie said, nodding at the TV screen. “I’m Marie—pining over a guy who is never going to be mine.”

“Being Marie is not a bad thing,” I pointed out. “She actually gets married and lives happily ever after while Harry and Sally are still fumbling around, trying to get their shit together. I’d rather be Marie than Sally.”

“You’re not Sally.” Kylie sighed.

“I sure felt like it when I found out Duncan was engaged,” I muttered under my breath.

“Hey, this ismypity party.” But she handed over the carton of ice cream all the same.

I spooned sugary deliciousness into my mouth, savoring the strawberry flavor on my tongue.

“Why do you deserve a pity party?” I grinned at her. “Last I checked, you have a date on Saturday. And don’t even try to play the babysitting-means-no-action card.”

She rolled her eyes. “You could have a date too if you didn’t push away everyone who showed you any attention.”

“The last guy who hit on me asked me to go out for drinks after the café closed at ten, and he was too young for me.”

“He was at least the same age as you. Drinks? He had to have been twenty-one.”

“I mean that he acted too young. I don’t know, I just wasn’t interested.”

“And you don’t think maybe you’re holding back because Duncan burned you?” Her voice was soft, hesitant.

“I’m over Duncan.”

“I know you are. I’m just questioning if you’re over the pain he put you through.”

I stabbed the ice cream with my spoon. I wanted to move on, but Kylie had a point. Iwasafraid of getting hurt again. I’d just gotten my life back, and I wasn’t ready to let that go. So what if it had been two years—I wasn’t willing to give up my freedom just yet. And it wasn’t like I hadn’t tried dating. There were a few dates with a few guys who were sweet and not at all people I could see spending my life with.

“All right. Boy talk is over.” Kylie plucked the ice cream from my hands. “And I’d like some more of this before you murder it.”

I sighed and flopped back on the cushions. “I think I’ve officially joined your pity party.”

“That’s okay. I brought enough wine to share, and I think you technically bought the ice cream.”

“Promise me you won’t settle for anyone who doesn’t recognize how amazing you are.”

Really, Sierra? You’re talking about Duncan and moping over your lack of a love life?I was officially blaming the alcohol for this conversation.

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