“You don’t have to answer me right away,” Sean says, and I realize I’ve been silent. “Just know that I want to do this thing together. There’s nobody else I’d trust my life’s work with.”
“I appreciate that,” I tell him honestly.
“I still don’t know how the hell I convinced you to even move here and work with me,” he muses, shaking his head. “Does this mean we’re best friends?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re an idiot.”
I realize, though, that this could be the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. A chance to open up and actually let my friend in for once. I’ve tried to, here and there. Mostly about Elsie.
“You know how my mom lives in Portland?” I ask, deciding to just rip the Band-Aid right off.
“I remember you mentioning that, yeah,” Sean nods.
“She was an addict,” I tell him. “Or I guess she still is? I don’t know if you ever really stop being one. Anyway, I had kind of a fucked up childhood. It’s why I’ve never stayed in one place for very long, though I won’t get into all of that. That’s a job for my therapist. But my mom and I are finally in a good place now, and I wanted to be close by so I could see her more often. That’s why I moved here, aside from working with you.”
I glance over at Sean, who looks shell-shocked. “Holy shit. We really are best friends.”
I groan. “Remind me not to tell you anything ever again.”
“No, no, no, this is good. I appreciate you telling me.” He leans forward, studying my face. “Therapist, you said?”
“Yeah, I’ve been seeing a therapist for about six years now. We meet every other Friday on my lunch break.”
“Holy shit,” Sean says again. “Good for you, man. You know, I’ve wondered where you disappear to. I figured you had a standing booty call or something, but then you and Elsie started doing… well, whatever it is that you’re doing, and you were disappearing at times when she was still next-door.”
“Well, now you know. I’ve got a big dose of mommy issues and a therapist who probably wishes she didn’t have to put up with me,” I joke.
“Don’t we all,” the asshole says, grinning. He’s a pain in my ass, per usual, but I appreciate him making light of things. Much as I hateto admit it, he really does know me. He knows I’d spook easily if he makes the whole thing into a big deal.
Sean grabs his phone to check the time, then curses. “Frankie’s going to kill me if I’m not back soon. I promised I’d watch some romcom movie with her tonight.”
“You’re so domesticated now. And now you’re going to be a dad.”
“Fucking crazy, right?” Sean shakes his head. “Just wait until Elsie gets your grumpy ass down the aisle. You already turn into a lovesick puppy when she’s around, with your tongue practically hanging out of your mouth every time you see her. Just wait until you get to call her your wife.”
He says it so casually, like it’s a foregone conclusion that Elsie and I are going to end up together like that. It makes me happier than it should, the fact that other people can see a future between us.
Now I just need to convince Elsie.
“Yeah, well, we’ll see.”
Sean hops up from the couch and makes his way back to the door. “Think about my offer,” he tells me. “If you’re not planning on going anywhere, then it’s a win, win for both of us. You know, as long as we’re successful and don’t lose all our money,” he says with a wink.
“Right. Minor detail, really.”
We say our goodbyes and I shut the door behind him, then flop back down onto the couch and grab my phone. There’s only one person I want to talk to right now, and I find her contact and click on her name before I can even stop to think about it
Sean’s given me plenty of shit to think about, but all I want to do is talk it through with Elsie. I know that I want to stay here, but I also want that to be whatshewants. I don’t think we’ll have that conversation tonight, not over the phone and not this soon, butmaybe she’ll give mesomethingto let me know that staying in Port Myles would be the right choice.
I think I belong wherever she does – I just hope she thinks so, too.
CHAPTER 41
Elsie
“Oh my god, you look gorgeous,” I gush, rushing back into the room where Olivia, Grace and Gail have been getting primped and prepped all morning. I’ve been popping in and out, alternating between my job as a florist and my duty as co-maid of honor. To say I’m frazzled would be putting it lightly, but I’m trying not to let it show. I don’t want Olivia to worry that she made the wrong decision by hiring me to do her flowers.
In the time I was gone to set up table centerpieces for the reception, Petra, the makeup artist Olivia hired, worked her magic on my best friend. Mile-long lashes frame eyes the brightest shade of blue, which pop more than usual in her perfectly made-up face. Her blonde locks fall in loose waves around her shoulders, with half pulled back and secured with a clip that looks like delicate flowers tucked into her hair. She’s still wearing her silk robe, but she’s added a simple necklace with a teardrop diamond and matching earrings.
