“I’m sorry I haven’t called before now.”
“No, it’s okay. I was thinking of you, that’s all. Hoping you were all right.”
She sighs. “It’s been a really tough day.”
“Yeah… look, I’m so sorry for the part I played in it.”
“Ahhh… something like that was always going to happen. It’s done now, anyway. At least he knows.” She doesn’t sound angry. Just tired. “I understand you saw him this afternoon.”
“Yeah. Just briefly. Needed to get it over with.”
“I get that. How was it?”
“Not too bad. He didn’t hit me, anyway, and I didn’t hit him, so…”
She chuckles, and I smile.
“I went over there this evening,” she says.
My heart bangs on my ribs, but I keep my voice calm. “Oh?”
“Yeah, I picked up the rest of my clothes and most of my other personal stuff.”
I inhale, feeling as if it’s joy filling my lungs and not oxygen.
No, wait, make sure, Archer… “You didn’t stay?” I ask somewhat stupidly.
“No,” she replies, sounding puzzled. “Jude dropped me off at the cottage with my cases.”
“And… he didn’t stay?”
She’s quiet for a moment. Then she says, “Were you worried that might happen?”
“Well, yeah. I thought you two might make up and decide to give things another try.”
“And I thought you might choose your friendship over me.”
The golden light from the sunset is like honey flowing over me, warm and thick, and I lift my face to it. “Jude’s the brother I never had. I hate to think I’ve hurt him, and that things will never be the same. But I don’t regret what we did one bit.”
“Oh.” Her voice is a squeak.
“You’ll always come first for me, Beth.” My lips curve up, and I can’t stop myself saying, “In every way.”
“Archer…” She gives a short laugh, then a sniff, so I think she’s half-crying. “Wicked man.”
“Sorry. I couldn’t help it.”
“So… you still want me?”
I prop my feet up on a chair and smile. “Oh yes. More than I need air to breathe.”
“Ohhh… that’s a nice thing to say. Look, Jude and I are definitely done. We both agreed that tonight. It’s amicable enough. I know he’s hurt that you and I slept together, but I think it’s more the knowledge that we were obviously attracted to one another, and he didn’t realize.”
“Yeah, I got the same feeling.”
“It was very, very sad, acknowledging that it’s over. And I just need a bit of time to process it. Is that okay?”
“Of course,” I say with feeling. I do understand, and I think it’s healthier that she comes to terms with the end of one relationship before she starts another.
