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“Definitely. Because—” I lean in as though I’m imparting state secrets, love for my friend, forLakefilling me, helping me see what’s truly important. It’s not the people who want to hurt me, to use me, but the ones who truly show me how much they love me. “—I have a second bottle of simple syrup in my purse.”
Her eyes widen, and she opens her mouth—
“Don’t.”
I freeze then jerk around at Lake’s sharp command, seeing that George has taken a huge step toward me, chest somehow puffing up further.
But Lake is still between us, and I find he asks the question I should have, “How did you know she was here?”
George straightens his shoulders…at the same time he tightens his grip on his phone—
His phone that is logged into my iCloud account.
Jer swiping the message up, still signed into his personal account at work.
George not wanting to shell out for an app that I already purchased.
Me logging him into mine so he could download it.
But…I don’t think I ever logged him out.
Which means…he can see everything on my cloud—calendar events, emails, and—
Text messages.
Meet me at Ronnie’s.
Andthat’show they’re here to rub my nose in their marriage, to con me into giving them money, to—
“Let me see your phone,” I order quietly.
George scowls, fingers tightening further on his cell as he retreats a step. “What are you talking about?”
Yeah, that’s confirmation enough.
Whatever. There has to be a way to log out remotely.
I turn to Lake, see fierce hazel eyes staring down at me.
“I know how he’s here,” I tell him. “And I can solve it without him.” I step closer, pressing my front into his side. “And really, I’m done with this.” I glance at my sister, holding her eyes. “You took something I thought I wanted. Congratulations. I hope you have a happy marriage. But I’m not giving you anything else. I’m done.”
Then I’m moving forward and—perhaps for the first time in my life—I’m doing it for a healthy reason.
“Fuck, butterfly,” Lake murmurs, drawing me close as we turn away from my past. “I’m proud of you.”
I inhale so sharply my vision goes unfocused.
How?
How does he know exactly what to say?
How does he know exactly what I need to hear?
That I’m looking forward, but it’s fragile. That I’m strong, but I feel like one push might send me skittering backward, might send me back onto that open road.
His encouragement, his gentle pride…it’s like stepping into the sun for the first time since…my grandmother.
I can still see the open road and adventures and new experiences…
