But she knew he hadn’t. She knew him to his soul. He’d meant what he said. He wanted more. She had to say yes to more—or he was moving on. He wouldn’t be coming back to announce how very happy he would be to take whatever bits of her heart she was willing to share with him. Josh wanted it all.
And she couldn’t blame him.
Damn him.
Now someone was knocking on the door—and impatiently, too.
“Just a minute!” She got up and went to answer.
It was Macy. “Joe has the kids, and I’ve finished up for the week at the flower shop. Thought I’d stop in, see how you’re doing.”
“I’m…” Riley closed her eyes. “I don’t even know where to start.”
Macy stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind her. “What happened? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“I’m not…” Riley brushed at her cheek. Her fingers came away wet. So much for faking it with her other best friend. “Fine. You want the truth?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Josh and I broke up.”
Macy reached out her arms, and Riley went into them.
* * *
Forty-five minutes later, they’d finished off half a loaf of banana bread, and Riley had told all. “And now I miss him so much I can’t even think straight. But I know I did the right thing to break it off.”
“Wait. They guy says he’s in love with you. It’s obvioushe’ll do anything for you, and you’re in love with him, too, and yet you—”
“Hold on. I never said that I’min lovewith Josh. The whole point isnotto be in love with Josh. I can’t do that. Never again.”
Macy groaned. “Saying you’re not does not make it true. Trust me, you’re in love with him. I know love when I see it. Why do you think you’re so miserable if it’s not love that you’re feeling?”
“Because I miss him.”
“Because you sent him away, and youlovehim.”
“But I don’t.”
“But you do—and the first step to working things out and being happy again is to admit what’s in your heart. It’s love, Rile. It’s love, and you’re doing your best to throw your love away.”
Riley glanced at her phone. “It’s almost two. I have to pick up Dillon from Lenore’s.”
“Anything to get away from facing the truth, huh?”
“I mean it. I have to go.”
Macy’s expression softened. She reached across the table and patted Riley’s hand. “You love him. Give it up to him. Go to him and tell the man you can’t live without him.”
“But I—”
“No buts. Wise up. Why suffer when you can have the love you need so much?”
“Because life is so cruel. What if I lose him, too?”
“Do you hear yourself? What if youlosehim? Riley, you’ve already lost him. You did that yourself when you sent him away.” Macy got up. “Come here.”
Riley went into her friend’s open arms.
