AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And she’d brought wine.
“Hey!” she said. “I was looking for you and figured wherever you are, you were due for a re-up.”
“Have I told you lately that you’re my best friend?” I asked with a smile. “I mean, aside from Sam and Katy.”
I winked, and Pepper handed over the glass. She stepped to my side, both of us watching the tide splash against the shore, the moon big and bright overhead and making the water look like dark, liquid silver.
“OK,” said Pepper. “I don’t want to be nosy or anything, but—”
Not a doubt in my mind what she was going to ask about.
“I know, I know. And I’m sorry. I’m just…”
Pepper put her hand on my shoulder in that “you can tell me anything” way that she was so good at.
And she would’ve listened, and she would’ve done something—absolutely she would’ve. But that was the thing—did I really want to make this party about my long-passed drama? I mean, if I were to tell her about the crap James pulled in college, she’d probably boot his ass out before I’d even had a chance to finish the words.
But then the party would stop being fun. I didn’t want to ruin it for them, and not to mention, did I really want to put all of my friends on the hit list of James Silver—one of the wealthiest men on the west coast? The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a bad, bad idea to make it a thing.
I had to give her something to throw her off the scent, though. Pepper was sharp like that, and I’d never been that great of a liar.
“It’s…James.”
Concern took hold of Pepper’s pretty features. “What about James?”
“We have some history. Back from college.”
“That’s right. You guys went to school together. Wait, is it bad history?”
And here came the lie. “Not really. Just that he and I went on a date once.”
Her eyes went wide. “Seriously?”
I nodded, feeling like total crap. “I mean, nothing happened—we got pizza or something and went for a walk. Not even a kiss. I mean he was nice and all, but there was no chemistry.”
“OK.” Pepper was clearly still curious where I was going with this.
“And now I’m seeing him again after all this time, and it’s like…I’m kind of feeling like I might’ve screwed up, you know? What if I would’ve actually given him a chance?”
I took a swig of my wine, knocking back like half a glass to deal with all the bullshit I was spinning.
Pepper regarded me for a long moment, and I found myself wondering if she was about to call me out and tell me to tell her what was really going on.
“Ahhh,” she said. “I get it. And now you’re imagining this amazing life as Mrs. Silver, living in some San Francisco penthouse or something?”
“You got it. I mean, everything happens for a reason, you know? But I can’t help but feel like…”
“Don’t,” said Pepper. “Worst thing to do is to wonder about what ifs.”
“I know,” I said. “Only that the fact that I’m still feeling kind of stuck doesn’t help matters either.”
That wasn’t a lie, of course—my situation with work and money and the future business had been occupying like 90 percent of my brain as of late.
“That,” said Pepper, “is going to be fine. I have no doubt about that. You’re smart and ambitious and good at what you do, and it’s only a matter of time before that pays off for you.”
Supportive and kind and always at the ready with the right words—that was Pepper for you.
“And as far as the James thing,” she said. “It’s the past. Nothing you can do about it. And if you didn’t feel it when you were dating him, er, went out on the one date, then that was your gut telling you that he wasn’t for you. And always, always go with your gut.”
I took in a deep breath through my nose and let it out. “You’re right, Pep. I mean, you’re really right.”
“Of course I am.” Her smile was winsome as ever.
Silence passed as I let her words sink in, along with what I’d done. “Anyway. I’m being kind of a baby. It’s a shock, you know?”
“I get it. Totally do.” She glanced back to the inside of the house at the dimly lit, empty guest bedroom behind us. “Anyway. I should probably get back up there. Unless—”
“No,” I replied. “I’ve taken up enough of your time with my emotional junk.”
“Are you sure?” She raised an eyebrow. “Because you know I’m here for you.”
“I know.” A happy warmth ran through me. “You always are.” I opened my arms and pulled her into a hug. “And I’m so freaking happy for you! God, you’re really getting married!”
“Really, really getting married. I still can’t believe it. But it’d be even better if my tied-for-best friend was up celebrating with me.”
