“I know so.” She smiled. “Trust me.”
#
The drive home was lighter, easier. We talked about the dress, about wedding plans, about everything except Dex. But I could feel their support, their acceptance, wrapping around me like a warm blanket.
When Delaney dropped me off at Jasper’s, Blake rolled down her window.
“Leigh? One more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t overthink it. Just feel it. Sometimes that’s enough.”
I nodded, my throat tight.
Inside, I went straight to my room and pulled out my phone. Multiple messages from Wren, all demanding details about “garage guy.”
And one from Dex.
Dex: How’s dress shopping? Have they interrogated you yet?
I smiled, typed back.
Leigh: They know. All of them. They figured it out the second I got in the car.
Dex: And?
Leigh: And they’re surprisingly okay with it. Supportive, even. Though they don’t think we can keep this temporary.
Dex: What do you think?
I stared at the question for a long moment.
Leigh: I think I’m not going to worry about August right now. I’m just going to enjoy this. Enjoy you.
Dex: Best answer you could have given. When can I see you again?
Leigh: Monday. Florist meeting. But that’s two days away.
Dex: Too long. Tomorrow? Lunch?
Leigh: At your place?
Dex: Wherever you want. I just want to see you.
My chest ached with how much I wanted to see him too.
Leigh: Your place. Noon. I’ll bring sandwiches.
Dex: Perfect. See you tomorrow, Leigh.
Leigh: See you tomorrow, Dex.
I put the phone down, my heart full in a way I didn’t quite know how to name.
And then I ran myself through what was apparently my new mantra in life.This was temporary. This was just for the summer. This wasn’t going to last.
But lying in bed that night, thinking about his hands on my skin, his voice in my ear, the way he’d held me after like I was something precious, I wondered if I was already lying to myself.
