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“You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. Just a little anxious for him, even though I know this is a wonderful thing.”
She cocked her head. “Just anxious for him?”
“What do you mean?”
“Wren is leaving in a couple of weeks. How do you feel about that?”
“It doesn’t matter how I feel about it,” I balked.
“I never asked you what happened the night of my party because it’s none of my business. But I can tell something’s changed in you since then.” She paused. “You obviously have feelings for her.”
There was no point in denying it. Shannon could see right through me. I sighed. “I’m definitely going to miss her. But I’m not going to mess up this opportunity for Wren. She knows I have feelings for her. But she also knows I’m not going to do anything about them.”
“Because of Rafe…”
“Of course, because of Rafe.”
That was the absolute truth. Because if it weren’t for Rafe, despite all of my other fears, I would’ve chanced it. I would’ve moved toward being with Wren. It would have been my absolute pleasure to explore where things went between us. But since nothing could happen, it was best that she was leaving.
Shannon frowned. “I wish things were different. Because I’ve not seen you light up around anyone like you do around her. But I totally understand the dilemma.”
The doorbell rang. Saved by the bell. “That’s her,” I said as I got up out of my seat to answer the door. My heart raced, fueled by a combination of what was to come with Rafe, and the anticipation of seeing her, which always made my heart do crazy things.
I opened the door to find Wren looking just as tense as I felt. She wore her signature ripped jeans with that familiar black-and-white-striped, off-the-shoulder shirt.
“Hey, you. How ya doing?”
She exhaled. “I’m good. A little nervous. You?”
“Same.”
She followed me into the house.
“Wanna sit and have some coffee first? Shannon brought beignets.”
She held out her palm. “I’m too anxious to eat or drink. But thank you.”
“Okay.”
She walked into the kitchen. “Hey, Shannon.”
“Hey, honey.” Shannon sprinkled powdered sugar on the beignets. “How are you doing?”
“I’m hanging in there. Had a busy morning. I’m trying to get ahead of the game with packing. It’s hard to figure out what to bring for two years, and what to keep home. I know I can buy stuff when I’m there, but I just want to take everything with me.” She glanced over at me.
“I’m sure,” Shannon said as she flashed me a look.
“Who’s gonna lead the conversation?” Wren asked me.
“I’ll start and explain my part in how things played out. This won’t all be on you.” I placed my hand on her shoulder. “You’re shivering.”
“I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be. What if he feels like I tricked him all this time, pretending to be a friend?”
“Come here.” I took her into my arms and held her tightly.
I couldn’t bring myself to look over at Shannon, who must have taken great amusement in the gesture.
“I’ve got you. It’s gonna be okay,” I whispered into Wren’s hair. “He’s gonna understand, even if it’s not immediate.”
After several seconds, she pulled away. “Let’s call him down now, if you don’t mind.”
“Okay. I’ll go get him.” My own jitters rose to the surface with each step I took up the stairs.
Rafe’s door was slightly ajar. I knocked a few times before opening. Per usual, his room looked like a cyclone had hit it, with clothes and wrappers everywhere.
“Hey, dude. I want to talk to you about something. Wren is here, too. Can you come down to the kitchen?”
He took his earbuds out. “Am I in trouble?”
“No. Not at all. Just something we need to talk about.”
He shrugged. “Okay.”
I headed back down to the kitchen and found Shannon and Wren sitting together on one side of the table. I pulled up a chair for Rafe.
When he finally entered the kitchen, he sat next to me.
“Hey, buddy.” Wren smiled at him from across the table.
“Hey,” Rafe said, looking around and seeming understandably confused.
I circled my thumbs and pushed out the first sentence. “There’s…something really important I need to tell you.” I paused. “It involves Wren.”
He looked over at her, then back at me. “What’s going on?”
“You know how she’s leaving for France. We wanted to make sure we had a chance to talk about something before then.”
He drew in his brows. “Okay…”
“Rafe…” I turned to him in my seat. “I know you and I haven’t always connected, particularly when I first married your mom and moved in. It was a bit of a rude awakening for you, and when we lost her, you were stuck with me, a virtual stranger. It might’ve seemed like I was the enemy for a while, but I’m proud of how our relationship has evolved since then. I want you to know that I’ve always only wanted the best for you and always will.”
