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“Um, okay.” I grabbed my coffee and stood, facing him. I had hoped we could have ended this whole thing as friends. But after our exchange, I wasn’t sure.
When he said nothing else and brushed past me without another look, I knew in my heart this was the right decision.
In the car, I was still upset about how indifferent Caden had acted, but I wanted to put it behind me. I couldn’t wait to talk to Ashley about the plan my dad and her mom had come up with. Rhett’s sister had been one of my best friends since I could remember. Our moms had bonded over being pregnant and then giving birth to us only months apart from each other.
It was always the three of us. Rhett was the rule follower. Ashley and I the wild ones.
When I pulled into the drive, Miranda was out front in her gardens, tending to her roses that my mom and I helped her plant years ago. She said she kept them to remind her of my mother. Rose, my mom, and one of Miranda’s closest friends, ran the florist shop in town. So I guess it was fitting. I climbed out of the car and made my way toward her. Once she spotted me, she stood and closed the space between us. I wrapped my arms around her.
“My dad told me what you suggested. Thank you. I promise you won’t even know I’m here, and I’ll help around the house or get a part-time job to help pay my way—you have no idea how thankful I am.”
“Oh Bella,” she started as she took my face in her hands and pulled back to look at me. “You know we see you like one of our own. We want you to feel comfortable here, and no—you don’t need to get a job or pay us anything.”
“Thank you.” I swallowed hard through the lump in my throat.
She smiled. “You’re welcome—Rhett and Ashley are out back if you want to go find them.”
I gave her a nod and turned to head around the side of the house. My best friends were throwing a football, and when they spotted me, they both waved me over.
“Did you two hear the good news?”
“Yes!” Ashley squealed. “I’m so excited—this will be so much fun!”
Rhett rolled his eyes. “Poor Dad. I’m just happy I’m leaving to head back to college in the fall,” he said with a smile and a wink.
He took a few running steps back and tossed the football in our direction. We transitioned into a comfortable game of catch.
This is going to be the best year yet.
I would miss my dad, but I would make an effort to visit as much as I could.
And maybe one day I would let Rhett kiss me again.
Present Day
Chapter Six
Rhett
“So, you decidedyoudidwant to hang?” Kyle asked when he opened the door to our parents’ guest house where he was staying while on leave from the Army.
Because of my shitty long-ass day, I ended up canceling plans with him tonight. But after my conversation with Bella, I found myself wandering over there after putting Brendan down in his crib.
“I need a beer. Got any?” I pushed past him into the one-bedroom cottage, through the small living room and into the kitchen.
“Sure,” he called out. “Grab me one too.”
By the time I got the beer, Kyle was already sitting in one of the two armchairs in front of the window.
“Here.” I sat the beer on the table before dropping down on the sofa across from him, kicking my feet up.
He studied me, his brows furrowing as his eyes turned to slits. “Why do you look like shit that rotted in the sun for two days?”
“It’s been a shit day. Fuck that. It’s been a shitweek.” I admitted, slamming my head back against the cushion.
“Please tell me you’re not actually going to marry Sarah.” His voice indicated he believed I was an idiot.
“I don’t know,” I mumbled, slowly letting out a tight breath.
