Page 54 of Where You Belong

“I can picture him shooting you a wink and saying something sweet with the word darlin’ hanging on the end.”

“He sure knows how to sweet-talk a woman’s pants right off.” I giggle.

This time, Madelyn tosses her head back, and we both laugh before she smacks her hand over her mouth. “I need to be quiet before I wake up Huxie.”

I grin. That kid sleeps like a rock, though, so I’m sure he’ll be okay.

“Seriously, though, I want you to know I’m here for you. If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling or someone to help with Huxton, I’m here. Or even when you don’t want to talk but want the company. I’m always down for wine and movies. You’re not alone, Hae. Not anymore.”

“Thank you.” I flash her a small smile.

Luck was on my side the day I met Madelyn.

We both get sucked into watching TV again. The conversation turns easy, chatting about our favorite celebrity crushes and fictional characters before shifting to talk about the upcoming Halloween party she was throwing in a few weeks.

Conversations with Madelyn always feel easy. She has a way of reading you and knows precisely what to say to make you feel better. It was something I noticed about her the very first day we met.

The episode ends, and I reach for the remote to start the next one when she breaks through the silence to ask, “So have you heard from Corbin lately?”

The way she words it makes it seem like she already knows the answer, but I pretend I didn’t hear it and shake my head.

She chuckles. “All right, I’ll cut the bull. I already knew. He’s called and texted me a few times, wanting to see how you were doing. I think you should sit down with him and tell him what you told me. If anything, he deserves to hear the truth. At least give him a chance to tell you how he feels. If you still feel like you’re not ready right now, you can move forward on good terms. Ya know?”

“You’re right.” I press my lips together. “I’ve been avoiding the conversation out of fear, but he deserves to know the truth.”

“I think the conversation will go better than you think,” she reassures.

My phone lights up, vibrating on the coffee table, and my heart leaps at the thought of it being Corbin. I quickly swipe it, checking to see who it’s from.

“Madelyn,” I blurt out.

“What?”

“He just texted me.”

I lift my glass of wine, taking a heavy gulp before clutching it against my chest. It’s as though I was trying to hold myself together, afraid at any moment I’ll fall apart.

“What’d he say?”

“He said he got my letter and has been thinking about what I said. He asked if we could still talk face-to-face.”

“He’s not going to let you go so easily. He’s fighting for his girl.” She grins. “You should ask him if he wants to come over to talk.”

“Right now?” I stare down at my phone, checking the time. It’s a quarter to ten. The thought of seeing Corbin has my heart beating in overdrive.

She moves to stand and tells me she’s going to take off. She gives me a hug and reassures me once again it will all work out how it’s supposed to before I walk her to the door.

I’m standing in the entryway, where we were the day of the bonfire, re-reading our conversation before I work up the nerve to press send on my message.

Me: Want to come over now?

Corbin: On my way.

Me: See you soon.

I quickly pick up my blankets and carry the glasses into the kitchen, depositing them into the sink before I race into my bedroom to freshen up. It will only take him a few minutes to get here.

A part of me hopes Madelyn is right. Even when I open up and tell him the truth, he still won’t let me go.

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