Page 77 of Silver Fake

"I'm still not sure how this is a bad thing."

"Sometimes you've got to take risks. Forget about having a backup plan. I know you can do that because you just did it by quitting your job without giving notice."

"That certainly wasn't a part of the plan."

"Of course not. The job with Victor was your backup plan. It's why you hadn't told John and didn't turn it down from the start. But Victor spoiled that by telling John that you had to change your plans without time to plan anything out. And you know what?"

"What?"

"You're going to be fine."

I rub my temples and slowly shake my head. "I'm not so sure."

"Well, I am, so just trust me. You are going to stay here for a few days or weeks. You're going to let John grovel a bit more, but then you're going to talk to him."

I drop my hands from my temple and look at her wide-eyed. "I'm not sure that's going to happen."

She smiles. "It is because you need to talk to him, and deep down, you know you want to. Is it a risk? Yes. But you love him, and that makes the risk worth it. I know it sounds like I'm pushing you, but if you don't talk to him one day, you will regret it, and I can't sit back and let that happen. It's kind of my job as your best friend to look out for you. And right now, I'm looking out for your heart."

I roll my eyes at her. I know it's juvenile, but I can't stand it when she's the rational one. It doesn't happen often.

Usually, I'm looking at things more maturely, trying to keep her from going off the edge and doing something she might regret later. She's always let her emotions drive her. It's one of the things I love about her and how we balance each other as best friends.

For the first time, I want to let my emotions lead the way. Let the pain in my chest do the decision-making, and she's talking me off the ledge so I don't walk away from the first person I've been in love with in over a decade.

"Forgiving him isn't going to be easy," I say.

She leans over, rests her hand on mine, and gives me a small smile. "Forgiveness usually isn't, but it is healing. Do this for yourself. You don't want to wake up years from now realizing you walked away from something you may not find again. Give your heart a few days to heal, and then talk to him. You might find it easier than you think. If not, you're already on your way to healing without him. But if it works out the way I think it will, you'll be glad you didn't write off this relationship before giving it a real chance."

I lean over and hug her. "You know, I hate it when you're the reasonable one."

She laughs. "Me too, but don't worry. I'm still giving him a piece of my mind if I get the chance. I'll forgive him if you do, but not until he knows the consequences of hurting my best friend."

CHAPTER26

John

They saytime flies if you stay busy. And these last three weeks have been the busiest of my life.

I've been traveling back and forth between Houston and Barton Beach almost every weekend. With Wyatt gone and my Mom being sick, my parents are struggling to manage the hotel by themselves. Recognizing their need for support, I've decided to step in and help run the hotel until we can find a new manager.

I am just finishing up an interview for a new manager. It's only the second interview I've done, and I knew before each one I wouldn't want either candidate running hotel I grew up in.

That's a big part of the problem.

I can't imagine anyone else running my parent's hotel. It was different with Wyatt because he basically grew up here, too. He was family, even if he wasn't our blood. No matter how good the manager candidates might be, they aren't family, and I keep getting hung up on that above all else.

"Hey, son," my day says, walking into the manager's office where I held the interview.

"Hey, Dad. Is mom okay?"

He nods. "Yeah. She's just sleeping. Today's been a good day compared to others. I think she's just tired from how bad she felt yesterday."

"I hate this for her."

He gives me a small smile, but it's not a happy one. It's the kind you give when there's nothing else you can do because a situation is just shit.

"So do I, but your mom is fighting through this with a positive attitude like she does everything else. If anyone can beat cancer down with positivity, it will be her.”

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