Page 83 of That Right Moment

“You don’t regret any of it, do you?” I finally asked, getting the courage to ask my friend the question that had been on my mind for years.

Clay’s head jerked toward mine, and his eyebrows were raised. His face told me he knew exactly what I was talking about. His answer told me otherwise. “Of course not.”

“You just look tired.”

“Did you not see the brunette that left? We didn’t sleep that much.”

I rolled my eyes and lifted my mug to my lips. “Yeah, I saw, and I heard.” I took a long drink, the hot liquid filling my mouth. “You two aren’t very quiet, but you avoided the question.”

“I didn’t. I said, of course not.”

“Do you remember when we could sit and talk about anything?”

Clay’s glare hit like a dagger. “We talk.”

I raised my eyebrows at him, lowering my chin and lifting my mug to my lips.

“Okay, fine,” he finally grumbled. “I may regret some things, but my home and sleeping with girls like Rebecca are definitely not on that list.”

“What is?”

“What’s with all the questions? Why am I getting the third degree? You’re the one with the life-changing event taking place.”

I shrugged and pushed myself from the kitchen, leaving Clay standing there in his boxers, with a look on his face that could be confusion or hatred. For Clay, there was a fine line. I began my way down the hall to the guest room when his voice made me stop in my tracks.

“New York,” Clay said softly, yet loud enough to pull him back to him. “New York is on my regret list.”

“Ophelia?” I asked, watching as he stared at the tile in his kitchen, his arms hanging limp at his side.

He took a deep breath and finally met my gaze, nodding slowly. Clay was silent for a moment or two, most likely stunned he finally admitted to himself something I knew he’d been holding back, but that moment didn't last long. He shook his head, stood up straighter, and left the kitchen.

“What time are you heading out? Do you have time to go get breakfast or something?” he asked, his back to me as he went into his bedroom.

“I ate cereal,” I reminded him.

“Milo, you can eat more than just a bowl of cereal. I’ll shower really fast, and then we can go.” He shut the door to his bedroom.

I shook my head and glanced at my watch. The drive back to Portland wasn’t too bad. I had time to spend with Clay. Maybe he needed me as much as I needed him.

Brunch and a lot of coffee later, I had the truck ready to go. Clay made sure I was aware I was welcome back at any time, even telling me he would make sure he had things ready for Holly—if and when it ever got to that. I gave him a hug and patted his back, thankful for a friend like Clay, even though I had hoped it wasn’t needed.

Clay had opened up only slightly more during brunch, telling me even though he did love the life he had built, there was always that one thing missing, and he was sure that one thing was Ophelia. But since she wanted nothing to do with him, he attempted to fill the voids. That was as far as the conversation went, after that he turned back to his job and numbers, his parents and how he met Rebecca. Seattle had changed my friend in so many ways, but he was still there.

At a rest stop not far from Portland, I finally grabbed my phone, turning off the audiobook I had been playing to text…or call…Madeline. The entire time I was here in Seattle, I longed for her to be next to me. Celebrating getting a job offer and finding a decent apartment. I wanted her body next to mine, and her lips giving kisses just because we could.

It didn’t matter where I was in the world, as long as Madeline was with me.

I opened her text thread, and my thumbs went faster than I had ever seen them before.

Milo: I’m on my way home. I miss you. I love you.

Before seeing if she would respond, I threw my phone on the passenger seat and pulled back onto the freeway. There was a way out of this mess. I just had to find it.

Chapter Thirty-Six

-Madeline-

My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me from the runway model in front of me. I was helping zip up her dress when I finally noticed the buzzing. I finished the clasp, hit the small button of my headset Ophelia slapped on my head when we arrived to announce that she was ready to walk.

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