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Skylar noticed the way Elena’s eyes seemed to soften at the mention of kids. Back years ago, they’d never discussed having kids or not because they were always just focused on the relationship. And now, things were too new to have that discussion. Especially when neither of them knew what the future held.
But that didn’t stop Skylar from thinking about what it would be like to have kids with Elena. She could picture a house and Atlas in the backyard and a couple of kids running around with him. It seems nice, idyllic even, and Skylar suddenly found herself wanting that life.
Dammit, Skylar. Focus on the now, not the future. Get through the tour before you start picking out baby names.
Chapter 21
Elena
For the first time in years, Elena wished she wasn’t on tour and didn’t have another life to go back to after she left the Cove. She wanted to stay in the seemingly safe bubble of her former town. Elena hadn’t appreciated it enough when she lived there; she knew that now. Elena wondered how many family dinners and time with friends she could have had if life had been different.
Friends.
Elena huffed to herself. She didn’t have any friends, not really. Sure, Gordon and Andy were her friends, but they were also her coworkers. And, in a way, they had been her employees for the past few years. It was clear to Elena that she truly didn’t have friends like Skylar did in the Cove.
The only friend Elena had was Fallon Rogers. Fallon was an actress who Elena met when she had a song played on a movie soundtrack that Fallon was starring in. They had met at a red-carpet event, and the rest had been history.
Elena knew the rumors that had surrounded her and Fallon. But it was easy for Elena to deny it when she was married to a successful man who was also in the spotlight. Even when Elena found out Peter was cheating on her, she tried to reciprocate the hurt she felt by sleeping with Fallon. However, it never happened. Elena backed out and blamed it on still being in love with Peter.
Although it had everything to do with the fact Fallon wasn’t Skylar, and that was the only person Elena wanted at the moment.
Her relationship with Fallon faltered some after that, but the two had remained casual friends.
“You’re quiet,” Skylar squeezed her hand as they turned down a two-lane road toward the Holland’s house. “You okay?”
“Yeah, sorry.” Elena shook her head and smiled at Skylar. “I was just thinking.”
“Care to elaborate?”
Elena sighed. “I love the Cove, and I love being here with you and seeing your dad and your friends, but it makes me sad too.”
“I’m making you sad?”
“No, not you. Never. It’s just,” she tried to think of the words to say, “I don’t have any friends to just hang out with, and I realize how much I’ve missed. Like this could be a normal Tuesday night for us.”
She was keenly aware that she’d referred to them as an us. It made Elena happy to say it.
“I guess I get that. I often wonder how things could have been different if, well…” Skylar gripped the steering wheel with both hands. “I just wonder.”
“I do, too.”
Silence settled between them as Skylar pulled into the driveway of a gorgeous house. Elena admired the house as she felt Skylar reach out and take her hand. She looked over at her and smiled.
“But we won’t make the same mistake twice.”
“No, we won’t.” Skylar seemed to be more at ease as she turned off the SUV. Leaning across the console, Skylar kissed her. “I love you, and I’m happy you are here with me.”
“Me, too.”
Exiting the vehicle, they walked hand in hand up the sidewalk as Atlas trotted ahead of them. It was clear they had been there before by the way Atlas pressed his nose into the window as a Golden Retriever appeared inside the house. Atlas’s tail was wagging excitedly, as was the dog’s inside the house. When the front door opened, Atlas headed inside as Skylar and Alexis hugged each other.
“Eek! I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve missed you.”
Alexis was taller than Elena remembered. Granted, a lot of people were taller than her short frame. Her long dirty blonde hair was curling slightly around her face while her flip flops, shorts, and V-neck gave her the perfect casual summer look.
“I’ve missed you, too.” Skylar stepped away from Alexis and directed her attention to Elena. “I hope it’s okay I brought an old friend along with me.”
“Absolutely!”
