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“He’s fine. I guess. I don’t know him all that well. But get this. He’s the soccer guy. One of those Red Hawks.” Her brows narrow at the incorrect title of my team. “Red something—you know, the professional soccer team in town? The one I told Robert you played for.”

“Sure. The Red Tails⁠—”

“That’s it!” she says, her fist plunging back into the bag for another bear. “He plays for that team. Isn’t that crazy?” She hums out a laugh before devouring another cinnamon bear.

“Yep. Crazy.” She rests her head against the back of my chair, a low hum escaping her lips. She chews and thinks, and I let her. It’s been an overwhelming night.

I sip from my drink, not at all bothered by the silence. Until⁠—

“I feel like an idiot, Zev.”

I rest my hand on her knee, wishing I could wrap her up and hug her tight. I know my girl. She needs a tight, long hug about now. “You aren’t an idiot,” I say.

“You don’t even know Robert, and you knew he’d changed.” Her brows lower. “Or hadn’t changed. I’m not sure which. The point is, you knew he was bad news.”

This is so much more complicated. If she’d just tell me about her condition—but then that would bring in the questions and reality she’s trying so hard to avoid.

“He did some awful things. More than just the cheating,” she says, explaining to me what I’m pretty sure I know and understand better than her at the moment. “But I couldn’t believe in my heart that that was really him.” She peers at the bear pinched between her fingers, chocolate melting onto her thumb and pointer. “Not until tonight.”

“Now you believe?”

“How can I not? He literally flirted with me in front of his wife.”

“I noticed.”

“When you went to the bathroom, I’m pretty sure he spilled that salsa on you on purpose now⁠—”

I grimace. “Oh, he definitely did.”

“He asked me out, Zev.” She shakes her head. “He is a married man, and he asked me out while on a date with his wife. I made up excuses for him before. But this time, I can’t. I’m just—” She huffs out a breath. “I’m disgusted. And saddened. And—” She shakes her head. "I think I am officially and irrevocably over Robert Pattinson. Fran was right. Grammy was right. You were right. I was missing someone who doesn’t exist.” Rosalie groans and slinks farther into my chair. “I was so, so wrong. Well, me and Robert, of course. He was wrong, too—but for totally different reasons.” She slaps a hand over her eyes.

My skin itches to touch her again. “I wish the world were more like you, Rosalie. I wish they’d see and hope for the good and be willing to forgive.”

She drops her hand from over her eyes and gives me a crooked half smile. “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

“That’s what the bears are for. I’m just telling my very good friend the truth.”

She nods. “You are a good friend, Zev. Thank you.” She sighs and her gaze drops to her lap. “I should go.”

But I don’t want her to go. I want her to stay. Forever. I want her to tell me one more time that she is irrevocably over Robert Pattinson.

“Do you work in the morning?” she asks. “When should I bring by your car?”

“Early. But I can get a ride with my neighbor. Keep it until the afternoon. Then pick me up for dinner?”

Her brows lift. “Greasy burgers with loads of French fries?”

“Whatever you want.”

She reaches out a hand, resting it on my forearm. “You are so accommodating, Zevulun Hayes.”

I smirk. “Happy to help.”

She stands but looks longingly at the family-sized bag of bears. “I need one more,” she says, reaching her hand into the bag.

“Take the bag.” I stand, too. If she’s ready to go, I won’t be able to talk her into staying.

“You sure?” She hugs it to her chest.