“You took care of us so well,” Rhiannon says softly. “You deserve someone who sees your heart. Someone who makesit easy. Who doesn’t make you think so hard about it. Who doesn’t make you stress or question your relationship. Who’s excited to see you every day. Who doesn’t make you pick between your family and them.” She shakes her head. “You deserve someone who choosesyouthe next time.”
I nod because—even though I’m not crying like she is now—I know she’s right. And I know she knows. She was there after my divorce. She saw what Amber did to me. She knows my vulnerabilities; the ones that I don’t let anyone else see. She had a lot of the same ones before she met Cain. She gets it. Probably more than anyone else does.
“One night at a time,” she says. “I think Aly’s incredible but she’s on her own journey of healing and she’s been burned before. I get the feeling that she’s cautious with her heart and isn’t just going to jump into something with the guy after the rebound guy either.”
I blow out a slow breath. “I hope you’re right.” I push back from the table. “I’ll get out of your hair now.”
She shakes her head immediately. “If it’s too much for you to sleep at your place, stay here tonight. You know… if you don’t want to stay up, wondering whether she’s coming home or what she’s doing.”
She stands, shifting Piper who’s yawning in her arms. “I’m gonna lay her down.” Then she drops her voice softer. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you.”
I know Rhiannon’s right.I want to be home. I want to be stretched out on my couch with a fire lit waiting for her to come back.
But I also know she’s right. If I go home, I’ll get drunk. I’ll stew in my misery. And if Aly doesn’t come home tonight—if she stays out all night—I don’t think I can handle that.
Because that’s how things started with Amber. Right after myparents passed away. Amber and I shared an apartment in Hartford, but I was immediately forced to move back into my childhood home to take care of Eden. Amber didn’t seem to mind it at first. And it worked, for a whole week. Until she suddenly stopped coming home. And I knew. Iknewthat I’d lost her then.
“Yeah,” I say. “I’ll just sleep on the couch here.”
She nods. “Let me get you some sheets. I’ll be right back.” Then she smiles, just a little. “And some tequila.”
Chapter 31: Alessia
Natasha:Can you cover for a no-call no-show tonight?
Aly:Sorry… I can’t.
Natasha:WTF? You’re always my go-to.
Aly:...
Natasha:Wait a minute… Do you have a date? Is it with my cousin?
Aly:Yes and no.
Natasha:WHAT?
Aly:It’s with our electrician…
Natasha:TRAVIS? Does Gabriel know that?
Aly:I don’t know. I haven’t seen him in a few days. I think he’s been avoiding me.
Natasha:Aly, you know he wouldn’t be okay with this.
Natasha:Aly.
Aly:I think… I need to do this. I might need to spend a round of dating other people. I can’t just rush into a new relationship with the first guy I sleep with after my divorce, right? I feel like if I go, I’m not being fair to Gabriel and if I don’t go, I’m not being fair to myself.
Natasha:I think you’re making a mistake.
Natasha:But I understand that you’re going through a lot of change right now. The bar is crazy. I can’t talk. But let’s catch up tomorrow?
Aly:Travis said the electricity will be fixed in two days so we can move back in. Let’s catch up then.
Natasha:Talk to you soon.
