Page 104 of Unsure in Love

“I didn’t mean to cause concern.”

She gazed at me with a sad smile before embracing me. Despite our polar personalities, we were always thick as thieves growing up because we were closer in age. We hung out as a duo more often and shared tons with each other. I knew she was hurt that I’d kept my pregnancy, relationship with Damian, and my search for Dad from her.

After every argument we’d ever had, she was always the first to apologize. I figured I'd beat her to it this time. “I’m sorry,” I said.

“I know,” she whispered. “I am, too.” April smiled at Damian. “Hi, Damian.”

“Hey, April.”

Her eyes twinkled when she glanced back at me, and it was all I could do not to roll mine. She glanced back at Tessa and Lucy who were solemn.

“Damian, can you excuse us?” April asked.

He turned to me inquiringly, and I nodded. His obvious reluctance to move from my side made April smirk. “She’ll be fine. I promise.”

His soft sigh tickled my skin as he bent to kiss my forehead. “I’ll be outside if you need me.”

I nodded, and he walked out. When I turned back to a grinning April, I did roll my eyes. “Oh, stop. As if you and Julian aren’t all lovey-dovey.”

“I didn’t say a word.”

I snorted but relief settled in my gut. At least I knew April and I would be just fine… as we always were after our disagreements. Now, to find out if Tessa, Lucy, and Ruby would ever forgive me.

Swallowing, I approached two of them, zeroing in on Tessa who had yet to greet me. “Hey, Tess.”

She gazed at me and my heart plummeted, thinking she was still furious with me. Then she sighed and reached for me. “Come here. Don’t ever run away again.”

“I didn’t run away.”

“Nic said you were holed up in some cottage outside town. You ran away.”

“I’m not twelve,” I muttered. Already, we felt and sounded like us and it was comforting.

Tessa scowled. “Whatever, I’ll call Ruby. She almost bought a ticket home when she heard we couldn’t find you.” She plucked her phone from the island.

Ruby answered on the first ring. “Is she there?”

Tess turned the phone around so I could see Ruby’s seething glare. “Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal sister.”

I looked skyward. “Ruby, you guys couldn’t get in touch with me for a day and a half. Don’t be so dramatic.”

“That’s right, Cass. Drama is my forte, so don’t go running away again after we’ve argued.” She rested a hand over her heart. “I was sick with worry. I thought the worst when no one could locate you.”

“You and Damian have paranoia in common I see.”

Ruby’s eyes narrowed with indignation but then her lips lifted into a smile. “So, you and Latin Lover, huh?”

“I regret the day I let all of you hear me call him that.”

Laughter circulated and wrapped around me like a blanket. Even if they were still hurt and angry, they still loved me. With pregnancy hormones at an all-time high, of course, I teared up. “Thank you, guys. I know you’re all being nice to make me feel better.”

“Oh, honey. That’s not it at all,” Tessa denied. “It’s because we’re so sorry. We feel awful for blowing up the way we did.”

Blinking through my tears, I inspected each face. “But I’m the one who should be apologetic.”

“True,” Lucy said. “But Damian made a valid point. Well, he drove home what you tried to tell us before I…” She paused and her gaze dropped to the floor. “I’m sorry about the way I reacted.”

“Damian?” I sniffed. “He spoke to you guys?”

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