Maybe they are.
* * *
Haley
I’m dreading the goodbye.
Luckily, Lulu is there to distract.
“See you at the wedding, honey.” I squat down to give her a hug in the gravel driveway of the ranch house.
When I stand up to face Liam, his green eyes nearly slay me. They’re filled with pain, but I don’t know what that means. All I know is we had a deal, thanks to my big mouth, and the main part of that deal is to say goodbye now.
“Thanks for everything.” I hug Liam quickly, and when his strong arms wrap around me, I refuse to allow myself to get emotional.
“I feel like it should be me saying that,” he says in my ear. “You changed the way I view the world, Haley. Thank you isn’t nearly enough.”
“Same.” I choke out the word.
I step back from his embrace, throw up a ridiculously fake wave, and head for Emerson’s car.
She’s waiting for me to take me to my apartment that she and I used to share together.
Her gray-blue eyes fix on me as soon as I slide into the passenger seat.
“You’re sad.”
I look back at her. “Sad doesn’t begin to describe it.”
“Oh, Haley.” She grabs my hand.
Tap, tap.
I jump at the knock on my side window. When I turn, I see Luke Wild.
I power down the window. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
His dark hair peeks out from under his cowboy hat. He’s gorgeous, and he knows it. And yet, I feel nothing for anyone but a certain green-eyed hockey player with the sexiest Southern accent I’ve ever heard.
“Just wanted to let you ladies know that a tree cutter just arrived, and he’s at the top of our property. So be careful driving out.”
“Thank you, Luke,” Emerson says.
Luke tips his hat. He gives me a second look. “You okay?”
My teary eyes give me away. “I will be. Being single sometimes sucks.”
He nods. “It does. But I’ll take it every time over being tied down.”
“I know you’re going to meet your match someday, Luke,” Emerson says with a smile.
He rolls his shoulders. “Doubtful.” He pats the open window. “Have a safe drive.”
On the drive home, I fill Emerson in. On everything.
When I finish, she sighs.
