“You said there’s one person for everyone,” I challenge.
“Fine, there could be more than one, but in this case, I don’t think there is.Sure, I know that death happens, and even divorce, and the one left behind can fall in love again, but maybe, just maybe, the person they lost was a great love, but not their soulmate.”
“Now, you’re just spinning tales.”
“Maybe, maybe not.I know what I saw.There’s something there.You owe it to yourself to break open the wound and find out.”
“What if I wasn’t enough?”I whisper.
“Not possible.That man worshiped you, and I bet my savings account that, given the chance, he would again.Only this time, I’m certain he’ll never let you go.”
“Stop.Just stop.You’re putting ideas in my head.”She’s putting hope into my foolish heart that only has romantic space for Copeland James.
“Prove me wrong.”I see the dare in her eyes.“Prove me wrong, and I’ll never say another word.”
I bite down on my bottom lip.She’s right.Copeland and I need to talk, but the insecurity and the fear I’ve been harboring all these years are running rampant inside me.Not just my head, but my heart.What if he did leave because he realized I wasn’t enough?Can I handle that truth?
“And”—Kinzie smirks—“if I’m right, I get to be maid of honor at your wedding.Besides, it’s a win-win.You don’t have to choose one of your sisters and pit them against one another.”
“We’ve already decided that,” I tell her.“We wouldn’t be able to pick, so we said our very best friend, and then three sisters at each of our weddings.”
“See, there you go.Now, all you have to do is pull up your big-girl panties and talk to him.”
“I’m not making any promises.”
“Well, then I’d better write alternate versions of tonight’s speech.”
I can’t help it, I laugh.“I love you, bestie.”
“I love you, too.”
Ten
Copeland
“Fuck!”I slap my fist against the steering wheel.That’s not how I anticipated tonight turning out.Seeing his hands on her, watching her shy away from him, I had to step in.I had to.There was no way I was going to stand there and watch.
I’m sure Bowen’s pissed, but fuck it.Ellison is more important.Fuck… to have my hands on her, to feel her hot breath mingle with mine, it was like finally coming home.I’ve been in this town for weeks, but it’s not until tonight that I actually feel like it’s home.All because of her.
Because of Ellison.
When I reach Mom’s place, the quilting ladies’ cars are still in the driveway.I’m in no mood to make pleasant small talk right now.All I want to do is wallow in the pain, in the fact that I miss her.I really fucking miss her.I knew I did, but having her in my arms like that, nothing has ever affected me more.
Instead, I keep on driving past.My eyes turn to Magnolia Estates.I can’t see the house that she lives in from the road, but I know it’s there.Is she there?Did she go home, or is she still out with her best friend?I hate that I don’t know the answer.
Is she okay?Did our interaction affect her like it did me?My instinct is telling me it did.The way she fisted my shirt, the way her big blue eyes stared up at me.She felt something.I can only hope it was more than hate.Because if I know anything to be true, it’s that I want her.
I want her in my life.I want her in my bed.I want her with me.I want to call her mine, and for us both to be on the same page with that.I should have been the one with my hands all over her on the dance floor.I should have been the one to take her home.To a house we share, to a life we’ve built together.
I don’t know how, but I’m going to fight like hell to make it all happen.I’ve always told myself that it is too late.That she’s moved on, but the evidence is in front of me.She never moved on, and neither have I.There’s a reason for that.That reason is two hearts that combined as one when we were just kids trying to find our way, and the bond, although years have passed between us, has never been severed.
It’s time to get my girl back.
When I reach the four-way, I turn right to head out of town.This is definitely a back road driving kind of night.The only thing that would make it better would be if she were sitting beside me.
I’m just about to turn up the radio when my phone rings.I hit accept on the dash, and my buddy Kip’s voice rings out through the cab of my truck.
“Cope, are you sitting your lazy ass on the couch eating bonbons?”he jokes.
