Page 40 of Stay With Me Forever

Me:Go away.

Katie:Someone’s grumpy this morning. Next time, no tequila for you.

Me:I’m not going to drink it ever again.

Katie:That’s what you said last time.

As I finally trudged into the kitchen the next morning, my head throbbing as if a thousand tiny hammers were pounding nails into my skull, I found Abby with a cup of coffee and her tablet. She looked up at me and grinned. Her voice was extra loud as she said, “Good morning, sunshine.”

I scowled, gave her the finger, and went to the coffeepot. “You’re too damn loud.”

Abby turned toward me, amusement in her eyes. “When did you become such a lightweight?”

I grunted, blew on the coffee in my cup, and took a sip. It wasn’t nearly enough, but the hot liquid helped a little. “I usually only drink wine these days. And tequila always hits me hard.”

I swallowed more coffee, and more, until it was nearly gone. After pouring another cup, I went to the kitchen table and sat down, laying my head on my arms.

Seriously, kill me now.I must be getting old, since I never had this problem in my late teens and early twenties.

Abby asked, “What do you remember about last night?”

As I tried to piece it all together, I mentally scolded myself. I was too old to drink to the point of fuzzy memories anymore.

Then something about asking West to pick up my keys entered my brain. I groaned. Had I really asked him that?

“That sounds like you remembered something. Maybe about wanting to see my brother bend over so you could stare at his ass?”

I groaned again. I really had done that. “I remember West being there, dancing, and not much else. According to Katie, he took me home.”

“Yep. West was the one who brought you home. He even carried you in his arms like some kind of hero.”

It all rushed back to me—him carrying me, the feel of his warm, solid chest against my side, me touching him more than I should have.

“He’s also the one who put you to bed.”

I looked up. “Really?” She nodded, and I sighed. “It’s going to be super embarrassing the next time I see him, then.”

For a blessed minute, Abby was silent, and I thought she’d drop it. But then she had to speak again. “Do you want to hear my opinion about why you drank so much last night?”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Please spare me the two psychology classes you took in college.”

She stuck out her tongue. “I’ve learned more since then. But regardless, I think alcohol gave you permission to be a version of yourself that we don’t usually see, the one who’d probably be around if you ever forgave yourself.”

I met her eyes and saw her concern. Years ago I had let slip to Abby about how I felt guilty for living when my parents had died. I’d refused to go into detail, but the damage had been done.

My silence didn’t stop Abby, though. She pushed. “I know you won’t listen to me about the crash and your feelings on it, but let me say this—I think you like my brother. Maybe more than a little. And it’s okay, Emmy. If you don’t give him a chance, you might regret it.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to say it wasn’t okay, for so many reasons. However, the doorbell rang, and I clutched my head. “Get that before I have to hurt someone.”

Abby chuckled and went to answer the door. Soon Avery dashed inside, her brother right behind her.

But there was no sign of West.

Pushing aside the sting of disappointment, I smiled at the little girl. Avery stopped in front of me and held out a small paper bag. “This will help, my daddy said. He couldn’t come today, but he wanted to make sure you’d feel better soon.”

I gingerly took the bag, but before I could look inside, Wyatt walked up to me and held up a bunch of orange lilies, one of my favorites. “Dad asked Auntie Lori what flowers you liked, and then went and got these. I was super careful not to squish them too.”

Taking the flowers, I tried not to read too much into West asking about my favorite anything. He probably just wanted to keep up his pool privileges.

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