“What’s going on?” she asked.
I tried to play it off. Laughed too loud. Shrugged too hard. But the words came anyway. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I told her everything. The hiding. The fear. The way I’d learned to pretend like I was fine until I couldn’t tell the difference anymore.
And the look on her face… It wasn’t anger. It was heartbreak.
“Why didn’t you tell me, Brianna?” she whispered, tears in her eyes. “All these years. I’m so sorry. I should have seen it. I should have known something was wrong.”
That’s when I knew I’d really messed up. She only ever called me Brianna when she was mad…or devastated.
I shook my head. “I didn’t let you see it. I didn’t let anyone see it.”
“Still. I’m your best friend. I should have pushed harder,asked more questions. I thought something was off for a while but…” She held my gaze through the screen, her expression softening into one of pure understanding. “I wish I could have been there for you. But I’m here now, okay?”
We cried. We sat in silence. We laughed a little, too, because she snuck in a dumb joke about how she was going to key his truck if she ever saw him in public, as if that would be possible. I loved her for that.
Beyond that, I don’t bring Dillon up much. The only connection I still have to that part of my life is Dillon’s mom. Every now and then, I’ll shoot her a quick text to check in and see how he’s doing. She tells me he’s doing okay, that he’s working on himself. I hope that’s true.
Meanwhile, I’m still learning how to sit with silence without assuming it’s the calm before the storm, but I’m doing okay, I think.
I haven’t been back to Scotland since Juliette’s engagement, and now it’s finally time for the wedding. I’m so excited, I could squeal. Stepping off the plane, I take a deep breath, inhaling air that feels lighter and fresher, like the earth itself is waking up from a long winter.
Juliette’s already waiting for me at the curb, practically leaping out of the car and running toward me before I’ve even stepped out of the airport.
“You’re here!” Before I can react, she launches herself at me in a bear hug, squeezing the life out of me.
I laugh, my arms wrapping around her instinctively, letting her do her thing. “Please. Like I would ever miss this,” I say, grinning as the electric excitement radiates off her.
She pulls back just enough, still gripping my arms, her hazel eyes shining with a mix of nerves and pure joy. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening. Itfeels so unreal.”
“It’s happening, and I’m so happy for you. It’s going to be amazing.”
There’s a rush of happiness being back here with Jules, surrounded by the chaos of her new family. It’s a little overwhelming, but in the best way. And as much as I’m thrilled to have her as my escort today, there’s still a tiny part of me that wished it had been Callan.
I’ve been on a few dates over the past few months, all wildly unsuccessful. Take Drew, for example, who couldn’t stop complimenting me, but not in the way you’d hope. It was more like, “You have the most unique nose, but not in a bad way,” and “Your eyebrows are amazing,” followed by the gem, “Your face is really aesthetically pleasing.” What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Then there was Tony, who decided to take me to the most expensive restaurant in town, setting the bar way too high from the get-go. After the bill came, he casually admitted he didn’t have the money to pay for it. And, because it couldn’t get much worse, he had the audacity to ask if I could give him money for a ride home. I mean, really? I don’t think I’ve ever fled a date so fast in my life.
That was the last straw. There was no way anyone could hold a candle to the blue-eyed Scotsman who’d been taking up residence in my dreams. Damn Callan and his infuriating charm. His handsome face. His rock-solid body. His sexy motorcycle. Just…damn.
Callan MacKenzie snuck into my heart. I’ve tried to deny it, but once I saw him that way, I couldn’t unsee it.
As we drive from the airport, I can’t stop my mind from drifting to him. The way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles. The rich timbre of his laugh. The surprisingly gentle way he teases me, always knowing how far to push before pulling back. My stomach flutters with nervousanticipation at the thought of seeing him again. I’m not even sure what’s going to happen when I do see him. I only know I want to.
Juliette’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay at my house?”
I laugh. “No thank you, ma’am. You and your soon-to-be husband need all the privacy you can get. I hear you like to keep a certain someone up all night.”
The instant blush creeping up her face makes me laugh even harder. “Jules, come on. It’s me. If I had a man like that, I’d be running him ragged every night and still be ready for round two…or five or six by breakfast.”
She looks mortified, and I can’t help but grin, thoroughly enjoying myself. Mission accomplished. And honestly, I wasn’t lying.
“I take it back,” she says. “I’m not sure I’m glad you’re here.”
“Admit it,” I say, “you’d be lost without me.”
“You’re right,” she agrees. “I would be.”
nine
