“She’s not finding what she claims to be looking for. And if she stays in New York, she’ll blame the city, the apps, her job and the long hours. But nothing will really change for her.”
Brooks paused for a moment and then he asked, “Do you think she’s actually afraid?”
“Afraid? Afraid of what?”
“Of falling in love. Falling in love means you have to be completely vulnerable. It means you have to show someonethe worst parts of yourself and pray they still love you. Most people can’t do that.”
“What? Be vulnerable?”
“That. And most people don’t love unconditionally. How do you build a life with someone on conditional love?”
“Shaky ground,” I admitted, mulling over his read on the situation. “You think Wyn is choosing her pain so she can say she’s doing everything in her power to go after what she wants, but it’s all a crock?”
“Maybe. I don’t know her that well. Only what you’ve chosen to share with me.”
I swallowed. “I told her that if a man couldn’t get into her heart, he had no business getting into her pants.”
“Wise words,” he murmured.
“I thought so,” I agreed. “But for the longest time, I didn’t realize that’s how itshouldgo.”
“Of course you didn’t realize that. In this day and age? Hook-up culture drives everything. Tell me, are you better or worse off because I’m the only man you’ve been with?”
“Too soon to tell,” I quipped.
He reached over and squeezed my thigh. I covered his hand with mine.
“I think there’s a lot of advice coming from a lot of people who are very unhappy,” I said slowly. “And I think we forget that.”
“I agree. I hope she listens to you, Freckles.”
“Me too. But it’s up to Wyn, right?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
The Ranch
The den was decorated in dusty rose and sage green. Gracie had baked individual cupcakes with frosting of the same colors. Wrapped presents were stacked on the wooden, lace-covered table in the corner. The two guests of honor had their feet propped up on ottomans and glasses of sparkling water mixed with orange juice in their champagne flutes.
“The room is gorgeous,” Salem said as she adjusted herself in her chair.
“This is exactly what I wanted,” Hadley said. “Intimate, people I love, with amazing food.”
“And no art projects,” Salem quipped. “I’d rather sit and talk.”
Muddy lifted her crochet hook. “What about this?”
“You get a pass,” Salem said as she reached for the pair of yellow booties she’d unwrapped earlier. “Because look at these.”
Hadley held up a pair of green booties. “I’m noticing a theme.”
Muddy laughed as she continued working on another project. “These are for Jane.”
Jane smiled and shook her head. “We’re keeping you busy.”
“I’m still bummed I missed the family dinner when all hell broke loose,” Wyn said as she sipped on her mimosa.
“That was quite a night,” Hadley said, reaching for Jane’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “But it took the heat off of Salem eloping.”
