I didn’t hesitate. I’d already spilled my guts, so I was done holding back.
“It was amazing. Like… life-changing,” I admitted.
Lulu narrowed her gaze. “And has anything or anyone compared since?”
I looked away, mortified that I couldn’t really answer that question, because there hadn’t been anyone.
“Wait. What’s with the awkward avoiding of eye contact? Are you telling me, without telling me, that you haven’t had sex in over two years?” she asked, eyes wide as she waited.
I just gave her the slightest nod.
“Girl, you are too young and far too hot to be closed for business. And I’ve read that if you go too long without… bumpin’ uglies, your vagina can actually close up permanently.”
A loud laugh escaped from me. “Great. I’ve lost my best friend, and now my vagina no longer works.”
Laughter bellowed around me.
“I assure you, that is not the case. You’re totally fine. Nothing is closing,” Eloise said, rolling her eyes at Lulu.
“You’re a physical therapist, not a gynecologist,” Lulu reminded her, in case she’d forgotten.
“Yeah, I promise you, you do not need to be a gynecologist to know that one’s vagina will not close up if one doesn’t have sex for a few years,” Eloise said as she shook her head with a goofy smile on her face.
“Okay. Good to know.” Lulu turned her attention back to me. “But we need to get you back on that horse. Or on that cowboy, if you know what I mean.”
“Holy shitballs! We all know what you mean, Lu!” Henley gave me an apologetic look. “She has no filter.”
“Listen, I’m not sure he’ll ever fully forgive me for leaving him the way I did. But I want our friendship back at the very least.” I shrugged. “And my life is just a mess right now, so I’m sure he’s more than aware and he’s being cautious. I get it. He has every right to be.”
“Hmmm… let’s think about this. You came back to town after not speaking for two years, and he gave you a job and an apartment on his property,” Emilia said, wriggling her brows suggestively. “And then he followed that up by getting your horse back for you. That’s not a guy who sounds like he can’t get past what happened.”
“He did all that before he found out my reasons for leaving. I think that hurt him more than anything, because I hadn’t trusted him enough to go to him. And Axel is a proud man. An honest man.” I swiped at the tear rolling down my cheek.
“Well, give him time to process it,” Eloise said. “Focus on the friendship for now. It seems like you two are together all the time. He wouldn’t be hanging out with you if he didn’t forgive you. And honestly, there’s nothing to forgive. You are both victims in this situation. You were told a bunch of lies by a family member. That’s not on you. You guys were dealt an unfair hand.” She smiled at me as she squeezed my hand in hers.
“I hate an unfair hand. So how do we get his hands back on you?” Lulu pressed, and there was more laughter.
It felt good to talk about it all. To share these things I was feeling.
The anger and disappointment I felt toward my brother.
The sadness I felt about Axel.
And the fact that for the first time in my life, I had no idea what the future held for me.
And that was terrifying.
sixteen
. . .
Axel
The next fewweeks flew by. Wren brought so much life into the business that everyone seemed to be enjoying work more. She’d gotten my books completely in order, and everything was running smoothly now.
She loved to cook, so she was always making things in her apartment and bringing them for lunch for everyone, and all the guys were enjoying themselves. Maybe even a little too much. They were blaring music at lunch, and she was teaching them how to line dance.
I kept to myself during the day, trying to focus on work.
