This is the last place I want to have a panic attack, but I feel it coming on. Even though I’m dying to hear what Chloe’s response is, I need to leave—now. I push through the crowd once again, keeping my eyes downcast because I really don’t want anyone to try to stop me. I don’t think I could handle it if they saw me like this.
When I finally clear the room, I burst through the front doors of the swanky hotel and gulp in breath after breath of February air. Is she leaving me again? Is my wife walking away from us?Does what we’re doing here not mean anything to her? Or the last ten years we’ve spent together?
I try to tell myself I’m making a big deal out of nothing and maybe what I heard wasn’t true. Avery did admit to having too much to drink. Maybe she has Chloe confused with somebody else.
But even as the thought flits through my mind, I know it’s not true. Chloe had a second interview, and she didn’t say a word to me about it. She’s making plans for our future again and leaving me out of the decision-making process.
I pull my phone from my pocket, swiping my thumb across the screen and pulling up my texts with Stefan. I’m typing out an SOS message when I hear her.
“Callum?”
No, please no.
“Hey.” Chloe sets her hand on my back. “I was wondering where you went. Everything good?”
I close my eyes, willing myself to remain calm and act like everything is normal. If she didn’t tell me about the second interview, there must be a reason.
She’s staying. She’s not going anywhere. It will all be okay.I repeat the words to myself as I peel my eyes open and look over at her. She looks much more put together than she did when I watched her walk out of the bathroom, but if I look closely, I can still see the smudge of her lipstick from my kisses.
“Callum?” she says when I don’t respond.
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “Yeah, sorry. Just got a little hot in there. Too many people for me.”
She smiles. “You always did hate crowds.”
“I did. But I’m good now. Want to head back in?”
There’s a pause, and for a moment, I think she might tell me about the offer from Avery. It seems like for the first time, we’ll lay it all on the line.
But she doesn’t. She just nods, and I lead her back inside, where we spend the night laughing and dancing and pretending everything is okay.
When we crawl into bed several hours later, I pull her close, holding her tight because even if I’m not sure what the future holds, there’s one thing I am certain of—I’m not ready to let her go.
CHAPTER 19
SERPENTS SINGLES GROUP CHAT
Lawson: What do you guys think about me starting a love advice podcast?
Lawson: I could call it Lawless Lawson’s Love Languages.
Lawson: You’re right. I should do it. I’m doing it.
Hayes: Are you just not going to wait for anyone else to chime in?
Lawson: Nah. It’s a fantastic idea.
Lawson: Besides, I don’t need your permission. I just didn’t want to keep it a secret from all of you.
Lawson: Because, you know, LIKE SOME PEOPLE, I don’t keep secrets from my FRIENDS.
Me: Are we really still going on about this?
Lawson: Um, yes. You lied to us for years. YEARS, KELLER!
Me: Has there ever been a day in your life when you’re not dramatic?
Lawson: Yes.
