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Wait.
“What do you mean, Hallie?” It’s in her blood to plan and execute with such precision, but life sometimes takes a turn. "Did you know Ian had planned the trip after I was gone a year?” Her eyes grow, unsure of being called out.
“Now is not the time to bring this up.” She’s saved by the waitress walking over.
“This conversation isn’t over.” Savannah types away on her phone like she has been most of this dinner.
“Let’s hit up a club after this. Enjoy the night life since we are still young,”I suggest, knowing the music and crowd will busy my mind.
Savannah’s phone lights up as her lips tighten. “Pass.”
“Come on. You and I are both single and can live it up a bit.” I lighten my tone. “Maybe if Hallie sends someone a smile, they’ll buy her a drink.”
I watch Savannah’s fingers type away before locking eyes with me. “Maybe I don’t want to feel like someone'sgood timefor a moment.” Leaning into her, I try to see who she’s so involved with through a text.
“Make themyourgood time. It’s Vegas. We can live it up and deal with our heartbreak.” I find my old self coming through. “Wow, leaving Beechwood Falls has me finally feeling more like the usual me.” Except it’s not the town; it’s being within reach of a certain someone who makes me want to drop my guard.
“There’s nothing wrong with the small-town Emery we all once knew.” Hallie absentmindedly rubs her stomach.
“Except part of her died with her parents.” I pause, realizing my acknowledgment. The pain sits in my stomach as I need to quickly redirect the conversation again. “Look, we can go clubbing. No guy actually cares about being used.”
“Oh, you couldn’t be more wrong, silly girl.”If her phone buzzes again, I’m going to flip. Hallie and I haven’t touched our phones this entire time.
“Girls, stop.” Hallie takes a long sip of her drink. “This night is about us having fun.Together.”
“I’m done.” Savannah laughs with annoyance, setting her phone on the table between me and her. “Do whatever the hell you want, Em.” I feel my back hit my chair as her words slap me. “Go hit up a club tonight. Find a guy. Go get plastered and take him for a ride.” She shakes her head.
“By all means, tell me how you really feel.” I try to keep my voice level, not really wanting to hear more.
“Go disrespect yourself, and others in the process. Why face healing?” I’ve never seen her lose her cool like this, and my stomach turns, unsure of what to do. There’s not much I can say. I’ve chosen this reputation.
“I’m fine, okay?” My voice sinks. “I don’t need a guy. I just don’t want to seeyouupset about your breakup. Going out will take your mind off it.”
“Being upset is normal. Yeah, it sucks and I’m hurting.” Savannah threads her hand through her hair and bites her cheek. “When I fall for someone, I’m all in. But I know after I sit in this sucky spot for a bit, I’ll get better.” She huffs, standing. “I need to pee. Our food should arrive soon.”
Her phone vibrates on the table, and Hallie is too preoccupied looking around the restaurant to notice. I glance down, holding my jaw in place as my gut twists with annoyance. My fists bunch of frustration. Savannah knew what she was doing by placing the phone between us and taking off. The nerve Ian has to ask Savannah to keep a close eye on me.Make sure nothing bad happens. As if he has the right to keep tabs on my decisions. Why does he have to go through Savannah? He could very easily tell me. He’s definitely getting an earful from me when I return home.
“Is that her ex?” Hallie asks, watching my facial expressions. “He better not ask to get back with her.”
“It’s not him.” Our food arrives, and we stay silent, enjoying some of the best food I have ever had.
The casino is loud, with everyone having the time of their lives, and smoke clouds around us as we walk past the machines to see if anything catches our eye. We meander back to the lobby like the boring people we are becoming, then head back to our room. Room service awaits us with a beautiful cart of treats as we walk into the room. Hallie smiles, picking up a macaroon.
“I ordered this for us as a thank you for the magical wedding you two helped with. We haven’t had a chill girls’ night in years. I thought this would be perfect.”
“I love it. Thank you, Hallie.” I admire the cart.
“I can’t believe we are in Vegas and are having a quiet night in.” Savannah laughs, falling onto one of the large beds. “I’m not mad about it, though.”
We settle into comfy clothing and gather around the treats. Hallie waits until I’m nearly finished with my chocolate lava cake before speaking. “I need to know the reason you left, Emery. The real one.”Taking a deep breath, I know I need to just tell them. My nerves skyrocket, but maybe this will be another weight off my shoulders.
“I don’t know if I have one. There was a pile-up of stuff.” I slowly set my spoon down, wishing wine was brought up as well. “I needed to get away and explore. Beechwood held pain. It still would if I let it.” I bite my cheek, skirting around the other reason.
“It would have been fine. I had plans for all of us,” Hallie goes on. “Ian was supposed to tell you how he felt when I started university. I wanted you two to be together.”If only I knew that years ago…
“No, Hallie. Being the puppet master was pointless. It still is.” I let my brain empty itself. “It wouldn’t have mattered because I was not mentally or emotionally ready for a relationship. I was in a really low spot.” Just as the worst reason crawls up my throat, I can’t believe I’m about to tell her. I almost swallow it down, but I force it out. “I almost kissed him, knowing you were still together.” Her jaw drops, and I get the confirmation that Ian never told her about that moment. “Yeah, I guess he kept that quiet so it wouldn’t ruin our friendship. Hallie, I no longer trusted myself around him. The guilt at what I nearly did because I was so comfortable with him and couldn’t fight my feelings almost ruined you and I.” I feel tears well in my eyes and blink them back.
“He never told me that part.” Hallie slowly speaks, and as Savannah rests her hand on my leg, I wipe a tear.
