“A little.”
I made it pretty clear that Wren wasn’t a topic I was willing to discuss after her sudden departure two years ago. Everyone—including Gus—respected it then. But either Wren’s return has overridden it or he’s assumed enough time has passed that discussing her is no longer off-limits because Gus presses me.
“And?”
“And nothing. She’s engaged.”
Gus sighs, slumping in his chair. “Shit. I’m sorry, man.”
I shrug. “It’s for the best.”
Based on the size of the diamond, the guy she is with has money. He’s probably been to the South of France dozens of times.
“If you say so.” Gus’s tone makes it obvious he disagrees, but there’s no way I’m engaging in that conversation.
I’m not surprised she’s with someone. I am shocked she’s engaged. Unlike me, Wren has two happily married parents. She’s repeatedly witnessed an example of what a healthy relationship is supposed to look like. She must really love this guy to commit so entirely at twenty.
The thought doesn’t cheer me up at all, which only darkens my mood more. I should want that—happiness—for Wren. Part of me does. A larger part of me just wanted that happiness to be conditional on me. For her to have spent the past two years with a hole in her life, mirroring her absence in mine.
“How’d you find outshe was here?”
“Ricky. He still has friends at the club.”
“Right. So, everyone knows?”
Gus scratches his jaw. “Pretty much. How long is she here for?”
“No clue. We didn’t discuss … it wasn’t a long conversation.”
Because I ran away—literally. Because I was so unsettled from seeing her, from the realization she’d seen the tattoo, from the ring, from her chasing after me rather than ignoring me, from learning she knew part of how I’d spent the past two years, from the surrealness of her suddenly being right in front of me that leaving felt like the only option.
I sort of regret it now. Last night was probably the last time I’d ever see Wren Kensington. I wish I’d stared at her a little longer.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. I am.”
I’m okay; I’m not great.
Gus has been there through everything. He played catcher for hours when I decided to give baseball another shot. Road-tripped with me to try out for a Frontier League team. Celebrated when I signed with them and commiserated when I partially tore my UCL, ending any career I could have had. The team wasn’t going to wait for my recovery, and I didn’t want to pay for surgery. Then he hung out while I actually studied for the SAT, determined to score high enough on the exam for a decent school to overlook my mostly abysmal academic record.
He’d happily listen, but I don’t want to burden my best friend with more of my problems. Wren will leave again soon. Maybe she already has. Not to mention, she’s obviously moved on.
“Well”—Gus stretches—“I should probably get back to work.”
“Great idea,” I say dryly.
He salutes me, grinning. “See you at lunch, boss.”
“Get out of here,” I grumble, reaching for the stack of paperwork Ihave to approve before then.
I only took this position when Dusty offered it because it came with a pay increase and I needed the extra money. Truthfully, I’d rather be headed down the docks with Gus.
But we don’t always get what we want.
39
Two days (and one phone call with Pierre) after Lili’s engagement party, I drive to his house. I was supposed to head back to Manhattan yesterday, but Rory returned alone to resume her internship. My parents were thrilled for me to extend my time here until my trip to visit my grandparents. Especially thrilled after a lengthy conversation explaining the diamond ring I’ve since shipped back to England. My parents liked Pierre on the few occasions they met him, but were obviously relieved when I said I wasn’t ready for that sort of commitment. As many times as they’ve encouraged me to grow up, I’m not sure either of them—especially my dad—is prepared for that to truly take place.
