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I elbow him.
He chuckles and straightens.
His mom asks Willow a question, something about singing, and I try to turn my attention back to them. To the words coming out of her mouth.
I’m a girl’s girl, I tell myself.
It’s another lie. Before moving to Denver, I wouldn’t have said I had a lying problem. But now… well, if the shoe fits?
“Excuse me,” I murmur, sliding out of my chair.
Instead of going to the bathroom—which would probably be reasonable, you know—I head outside. I follow the sidewalk around to the parking lot and press myself up against the wall, taking slow, deep breaths.
Why am I suddenly a green-eyed monster?
“Aurora?”
I flinch.
Willow stands there, her arms folded across her stomach. “I, um… Are you okay?”
I clear my throat. “I’m totally fine,” I lie. “I just, you know… there’s a lot going on.”
“Uh-huh.” She comes closer and leans her shoulder against the wall. “You know how long it took me to get over Knox?”
“Not sure I want to know,” I say on a laugh.
“A month. If that. I was a wreck for a long time after he humiliated me, but it wasn’thimwho I was mourning or broken up about. It was me. I opened my heart, and he didn’t give a shit.” Her gaze is steady on my face.
I don’t know what she’s saying.
“Are you trying to tell me not to fall for him?” I scoff. “Because you don’t need to warn me. I’ve known him?—”
“No, Aurora.” She grabs my hand and pulls it away from my stomach. “I’m saying there’s a reason he didn’t give a shit about me. And it’s obvious with the way he treats you.”
“Well…”Fuck. “If you say so.”
“I’m not saying anything concrete, one way or another. I’m just explaining that…” She blows out a breath. “You know what? I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say. I just felt the need to explain and apologize…”
“You don’t owe me an apology.” I yank my hand from her grasp. “Seriously. You don’t. You couldn’t have known about me.”
Although, come to think of it, I’m kind of surprised that Miles didn’t use the marriage as ammunition against Knox. He must’ve known Knox didn’t sign the divorce papers.
Unless they aren’t as close anymore.
“Knox loves his brother over everything,” Willow says. “I told you that.”
I roll my eyes. “I know you did.”
“But I was wrong, Aurora. He would give anything for his brother—but he’d giveeverythingfor you.”
My eyes fill with tears.
She waits for another second, but my throat is closed off. I couldn’t say another word if I needed, let alone if I wanted. And when I don’t speak, she pats my arm and goes back inside.
It’s ridiculously cold out here. I should’ve grabbed my coat, at the very least. My breath forms little clouds in front of my face. I close my eyes and fight my emotions. Wrestle with them, really.
Hands tug at my shoulders. I open my eyes and look up at Knox, but he doesn’t say anything. He just pulls me into the hug that I desperately need.
