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“I’m still your best friend,” I whisper, swiping at my tears. “I’ve missed you, too.”
Vanessa wraps her arms around me again, hugging me. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said the shit that I said to you.” She pulls back, releasing a breath. “You know William better than any of us. If you can forgive him, then I accept that. I support whatever you decide.”
I’m surprised by her words. “It’s complicated. I haven’t truly forgiven William. I just understand that he’s not evil. He has layers to him. But what he did, kidnapping me and taking me away from all of you, was still wrong. I’ll always have some resentment toward him for that.”
She nods. “I’m sorry for not understanding. I just assumed you had Stockholm Syndrome and I flipped out on you. Like an idiot.” She shakes her head.
My gaze moves to Max, who stands slightly away from us, letting us have this time together. “I don’t have Stockholm. But I am going to a therapist. Last week was my first appointment.”
Vanessa seems surprised. “That’s great. I wasn’t sure you’d go.”
“It will take time, of course, but our first session was pretty productive.”
Vanessa turns around, looking at Max. “I’m sorry for going off on you, too.”
He steps forward, moving to me, wrapping his hand around mine. “I understand where you were coming from, Vanessa. When Irelynn told me everything that happened with William, I’ll admit it was a hard pill to swallow. But I love and support her in whatever she decides.”
Vanessa nods. “I should have done the same. And I have a confession to make.” She pauses, her eyes downcast. “I didn’t come to this conclusion all on my own. I was given some advice by an unlikely source.”
My eyebrows raise as I look at her, not having a clue who she’s referring to. I know it isn’t Darin, since he regularly tells Max and me that he hasn’t heard from her. “Who?”
Her face is full of chagrin and for the first time since I’ve met her, she blushes. “William.”
My mouth drops open and my eyes widen in shock. “William? William Anderson?”
She nods, finally meeting my eyes. I’m baffled and have no idea what to say.
“I ducked out of the sorority meeting last week, feeling miserable. I was at my breaking point and needed to get away. I got in my car and started driving and ended up pulling into the bar outside of town. You know the one—that small bar with the mechanical bull where I kissed you to make that guy leave you alone.” A weak grin pulls her lips up, but then fades as she resumes her story. “I’m sitting alone at a corner table, nursing my drink, my head pounding, and guess who slides into the chair across from me? William.”
I blanch and Max squeezes my hand. I haven’t heard from or seen him since the day I escaped.
“He was actually very nice, even though I flipped out on him.” She takes a deep breath, pushing a lock of her brunette hair from her face. “When he sat down, I immediately went on the defensive and started blaming him for everything. He just sat there as I ranted and raved at him.” She shakes her head, crossing her arms over her stomach. “I ended up feeling bad because when I finally stopped, he said, ‘You’re right. About everything. I shouldn’t have taken her from all of you’. I was stunned, but figured he had something up his sleeve. So I started ranting at him again and he sat there, listening. And when I finished yelling, he shocked the hell outta me. ‘I’m responsible for all of this, Vanessa’. I was stunned and actually stopped attacking him.”
My fingers fly to my lips as I let out a slight gasp. When I look at Max, an incredulous look is on his face.
Vanessa continues, drawing our attention back to her. “I ended up confessing what happened. How you told us what happened, and that I felt you defended him, and I flipped out. His eyes softened and he said, ‘It’s all my fault, Vanessa. And I’m really fucking sorry’. And then he reached across the table and took my hand, squeezing it and telling me he knows you will forgive me if I reach out to you. And he’s certain that you miss me as much as I miss you. I was just so blown away by what he said.”
Vanessa shakes her head, a long sigh leaving her lips. “In that moment, I saw a caring person who was genuinely sorry for what he did. And even though I only had one drink, he followed me home to ensure that I got to my apartment safely. He didn’t come in or anything. He just waited in his car until I walked inside, then left.”
A soft smile crosses my lips. “He showed you Will instead of William. The guy he tries so hard to hide because of the world he generally lives in.”
Vanessa gives me a chagrined smile. “I’m so sorry for not trusting in you, Irelynn. And for flipping out on you.”
Reaching my arms around her, I pull her in for a hug. “It’s fine, Vanessa. Water under the bridge, okay?” I pull back from the hug, both of us wiping the tears from our faces as she nods.
Max comes closer, putting his arm around me. “I know this one will feel a lot better about you two reconciling. She’s missed you and your friendship a lot.”
Vanessa grins. “Same, girl. You have no idea.” Her eyes rake over Max’s arm around me, then her eyes skip away and her expression momentarily darkens.
In that moment, I’m fairly certain she misses Darin. Clearing my throat, I say, “I hope this doesn’t seem out of line, but have you tried reaching out to Darin?”
Vanessa’s face instantly falls and her lips tremble as she shakes her head, keeping her eyes averted as though she’s afraid she’s about to break down any second.
Meeting Max’s eyes, we exchange a look. Max clears his throat. “You know, Vanessa, I think Darin would be happy if you reached out to him. Even if it’s through text. I know he misses you.”
Vanessa’s face immediately brightens. “Do you think he will respond if I text him?”
Max’s smile widens. “I’m certain he will. But I’d recommend doing it sooner than later. The longer you wait… well, he may end up getting the idea you don’t care.”
