Addison finally breaks the silence. “I can’t believe you kissed him. Are you two officially together now?”
“It was just a peck. And of course not. He asked me on another date, but I had to say no.”
Zara gasps. “What? You said no?”
I nod.
She sighs. “I need to see a picture of this guy. I’m a much better judge of character than you are.”
Addison giggles. “A picture isn’t going to do him justice. Trust me.”
But I show them both the photo we took in the corn maze. It’s definitely not my first time gazing at it since it was taken, but my heart still reacts to seeing Bash’s handsome face. His deep blue eyes stare into the camera with the same intensity as real life. The way we’re leaning toward each other in the photo makes me blush. I can’t seem to meet Addison’s or Zara’s gazes when they glance up at me.
“I think I forgot how to speak,” says Zara.
Addison bites her lip. “I was wrong. This pic totally does him justice.”
My sister nods. “It’s giving refined, crazy-boy. Old money with a dark side.”
“Okay. Putting the phone away now.” I shut off the screen and slide my phone into the tiny black bag on my shoulder. I can’t deny how hard I’m blushing, especially now that they’re studying me so obviously.
Zara frowns. “Wow. Look at you. You really like him, don’t you?”
I cover my face with my hands. “I don’t know. I’m still processing the fact that we work together, and I went on that date with him. Andkissedhim.”
“I mean…” Addison shrugs. “I worked for Perry when I met him, and things turned out pretty amazing. Just saying.”
I bite my lip as her words sink in. “I know, and that’s the problem. I…Idolike him, but I’m trying so hard not to. DatingCole last year felt so safe. I thought for sure he was the kind of guy I could rely on not to do anything shady, and he turned out to be the biggest red flag I’ve ever met. It bothers me how off my radar was about him.” I’m filled with turmoil at the mere memory, but I continue. “And dating Bash would feel so much more risky. He’s an MMA fighter who isn’t even in Meadow Hills long-term. He’s going to leave eventually, and I’m staying here. So I’m a thousand times more nervous about him than I was with Cole. I know it’s not fair of me to compare them, but it feels like getting burned last year left a permanent mark on me or something. One I don’t know how to erase.”
They both listen to me in silence, and eventually, Addison reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I get it. Trust me.”
“Yeah,” says Zara. “But, sis…you can’t blame every guy for the mistakes of one. Cole was the bottom of the barrel. And it was nothing you did wrong. You’re literally amazing.”
“She’s right,” says Addison. “And I’ve thought a lot about what happened to you and Cole, you know. Just because he was able to up and leave you after a year doesn’t mean Bash would. But first, you’d have to give him a chance if you ever want to find out. Who knows? He might even decide to stay in Meadow Hills.”
Even though she says it so nonchalantly, the words pierce straight through me because it’s what I’m secretly hoping for deep down.
But what if my feelings for him get stronger and he doesn’t stay?
The thought just makes me want to protect my heart from getting shattered a second time. I shake my head. “I’m doing fine alone. I don’t need anyone else, so I don’t know why I’m suddenly so worried about getting left again. What’s wrong with me?”
Addison bites her lip. “Maybe because until Cole, you’ve never really had a taste of that kind of heartbreak. You’ve won practically every pageant you’ve entered. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like you. You succeed at everything you do, Rom.”
“But not Cole,” I say.
Addison nods. “Not Cole. He was, like, your first taste of rejection, ever.”
Zara laughs. “Welcome to the real world. We have cookies, at least.” She takes a bite of the one she’s holding and washes it down with her tea.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t deny they’re right. “So you’re both saying I just need to get over it?”
“Come on. Remember what Mom and Dad taught us. You need to have more faith, sis. Ask God to show you what He wants for you, and then trust Him,” says Zara.
Addison nods. “Yep. I know it’s hard to move past trust issues, and all it takes is one loser to burn that hole in your heart. But you can do it with God on your side.”
They’re so right.
I’m sorry, Lord. Where has my faith been? I do trust you.
