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Peeking her head around the corner, I raise the wine bottle in the air and head into the living room. She knows the drill. Corkscrew and two glasses.
"To what do I owe this late-night visit?" she asks, popping the cork and pouring us each a glass.
"It's not that late," I reply defensively.
"Addy, it's after ten. Last I checked, that was your bedtime," she teases, taking a seat next to me on the couch. "What's up? And don't tell me nothing because it's written all over your face."
"Adam's coming to visit this weekend," I blurt out before I lose my nerve.
Chloe raises an eyebrow at me over her wine glass but doesn't reply.
"I'm in over my head, and I don't know what to do. This was supposed to be a fling. A one-time thing. Only last weekend. I wasn't supposed to like him this much."
"Why is this a problem?"
"He lives in Fairview, Chloe. How is that supposed to work? Plus, I promised myself that I'd never let a man get between me and my career again. He's all I can think about, and it's showing in my work. My boss called me into her office today because I sent her the wrong client file. Twice!"
There's a knowing look on her face. I've seen it before. Chloe knows me better than anyone else. It's almost as if she can read my innermost thoughts before I can.
"Are you ready to admit it yet?"
Not this again.
"No."
"Why are you lying to yourself? What's the point?"
"If I say I love him, then this become real. Very, very real. I'm not ready for that. Not yet. I haven't even known him a week. People don't fall in love that fast in real life. In the movies, sure. In a book, of course. Things like that don't happen in the real world, and they sure as shit don't happen to me."
"So you do love him, then?"
"Of course I do, but I don't want to," I say, slapping my hand over my mouth when I realize what I've confessed. Out loud.
Sure, I've said it in my head a few times. I've tried denying it to myself, but I'm a really bad liar. There's no good reason I shouldn't be able to admit it to myself at least. Unless you count the overwhelming fear I feel every time I think about it.
"Great. So this weekend you should tell him that. Knowing Jones, he'll pack up and move here in a heartbeat, and you two can live happily ever after."
Her voice cracks as she finishes her sentence. Her words started out cheerful but ended in sadness.
Reaching for her hand, I give it a light squeeze.
"Have you decided what you want to do yet?"
"I know what I want to do, but I don't know what I should do. There are so many scenarios, and none of them are ideal."
"What about the one where you move back to be with Wyatt? The same one where you become a family and raise Lola together. That one should make your heart soar with happiness. This is your second chance at love, Chloe. Not many people have that."
Sitting up straighter, she takes a sip of wine and looks me square in the eyes. "Will you promise to come visit?"
"Every chance I get."
"Promise to tell Jones how you feel about him?"
"Nope."
"I'm moving home," she states.
"I know. I'm going to miss you."
