Page 115 of Versions Of Us

Just like Kristen, I’m not the best at taking compliments so I attempt to hide my unease with a lame joke. “Who knew I had it in me to create something out of nothing?”

Her eyes pierce mine, determined and all-consuming. “Me,” she says. “I did, Alex.”

Chapter 45

KRISTEN

“You have a sister?” Liv asks incredulously. “That you knew nothing about?”

“Uh huh,” I say, swirling my straw around in the pink cocktail that Henley had ordered me. My favourite, though I don’t really feel much in the mood for drinking.

I glance over at him where he rests an elbow on the bar. His eyes soften as they find mine and I catch a flicker of a smile, then EJ says something that draws his attention back away from me.

“I still can’t believe what happened,” Liv says, blowing out a breath.

“Me neither.” I sigh. “He’s been through so much. I honestly don’t know if he’ll ever heal completely from this.”

“He’ll get through it. He’s strong,” Liv says earnestly, reaching forward to grasp my hand. “And he has you.”

I nod. “I know. I’m just glad he’s back.” I feel the threat of tears as my eyes begin to sting, but I push them down. I’ve spent too long letting this sadness overwhelm me. I want to focus on the present, the future. The second chance we’ve been given.

“Me too,” she agrees with a warm smile. “I feel so guilty that I ever doubted him.”

“You and me both,” I say. “I get it now. Why EJ hadn’t shared his secret. He’s a good friend.”

EJ appears, dropping down into the booth next to Liv. “You talking about me again?”

“Always,” Liv replies sassily, pulling her hand back from mine. “I was just about to fill Kristen in on your suit fitting fiasco.”

EJ shakes his head, his cheeks rosy with embarrassment. “Of course, you were.”

“Wait. What?” I ask, confused, as Henley slides into the seat beside me. He tucks an arm around my waist, pulling me in against his side and I revel in the warmth of his body.

“Okay. I need to hear this story.” Henley grins and it reminds me that the carefree, fun-loving version of him is still in there.

“Yeah. Me too,” I say. “What happened?”

EJ pinches the bridge of his nose, then runs a hand through his hair as Liv begins regaling us with a mortifying tale.

“We had to go for EJ’s suit fitting for the wedding last week in this fancy little boutique in the city. My dad kind of knows the staff because he’s been going there forever, so he came along to help us get a good price.”

Liv starts to chuckle as EJ groans. “Please stop,” he begs his fiancé, knowing that she’s having way too much fun at his expense.

“Long story short,” she continues. “The saleswoman set up a change room for EJ with a bunch of suits. Except he went into the wrong one. He tried on this suit that was two sizes too small.”

“It wasn’t my fault she gave me the wrong suit!” EJ interrupts.

“Just as he emerged from the change room, barely able to move, this woman dropped her purse behind him by accident. Emmett here, ever the gentleman, crouched down to pick it up and the whole backside of his pants split open,” she tells us through fits of giggles.

“Oh my god! No, EJ!” I can’t help but join Liv, laughing at EJ’s misfortune.

“That’s not even the best part!” Liv cries.

“Best part?” EJ deadpans. “You mean the worst part.”

“What do you mean?” Henley asks.

“He was wearing his bright green Scooby Doo briefs,” Liv blurts.

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