“I wore a sundress…and boots.”
I smile at the image. “Sounds like the Wren I knew.”
“They laughed when they saw me.” Her voice cracks. “Raquel, the office ringleader and mean girl, played it off likeit was a joke, but I knew they were making fun of me. I hadn’t had a chance to go shopping. All I had was what I packed, and I didn’t understand what was so wrong with my outfit. It was who I was.” A heavy breath leaves her. “After we were seated in the VIP section, an expensive bottle of champagne was brought over, and Raquel made a toast celebratingSnow Whitejoining the firm.”
I hate where this is going. I feel my hands clench into fists before I can stop them.
“That’s what they named me. Snow White. The too pure, innocent, naive, small-town girl. It felt like a punch to the gut. These women who were kind and welcoming on my first day turned into catty mean girls, and I wish I could say it was because of the cameras, but the nickname stuck. It hurt to be viewed that way, as if I was nothing because of where I came from. I busted my ass in college. I’d been through hell and back. The truth was, I wasn’t too pure, I just didn’t want to be them.”
“No, Whiskey, you’re definitely nottoopure.” My words are laced with innuendo, of all the things we’d done together over our teenage years, as I try to make her smile.
She laughs softly, a shy smile spreading across her face, but it fades all too fast.
“I hated who I was becoming out there. Everything seemed so fake, from personalities to appearances. The cameras felt overwhelming when there were days I just wanted to be alone. Being in the spotlight isn’t worth the pain and torture.”
I reach for her, needing to feel she’s here with me. She goes willingly as I tug her into my side, squeezing her tighter. I press a kiss to the top of her head, but linger longer than necessary. I can’t find the right words, and I’m afraid to say the wrong thing. It shocked me when I learned Wren joined a reality show, only because she hated the curious glances and whispers when we were growing up. To put her entire life in front of millions, it didn’t feel like her. But what did I know about the Wren she’d become.
I shift my arm, and notice she’s looking at my watch. My body stiffens when I realize it’s nearly ten. Four o’clock comes quick, but I don’t want to break this moment. Don’t want to leave her.
“Stay,” Wren blurts like she’s reading my mind, gripping onto my thigh to keep me from standing. “I-I mean, please stay tonight.”
I’m rendered speechless once again tonight. And I hate how Wren’s face drops when she mistakes my silence for rejection.
“That’s okay, you don’t—”
“No, I want to.” It’s my turn to interrupt her. “I’d love to stay with you, Wren. God, I’ve wanted to fall asleep next to you for a long time. Are you sure?”
Wren nibbles on her plump bottom lip as she nods quickly.
And my heart can barely contain its excitement.
Chapter 25
Wren
Thewordsleftmymouth before I could stop them.
The idea of Jett leaving after everything we talked about tonight didn’t feel right. Having him stay here feels like a really big step.
But it also feels meant to be.
The realization hits me so suddenly that it almost knocks the breath out of me. Talking about our parents’ deaths, the reality show, and being called Snow White ripped open something I’ve spent years trying to keep closed.
I thought I was independent and building something when I lived there.
But really, I was lonely in a way I didn’t even know how to explain.
Lonely in my job and at the firm.
Lonely in fancy restaurants.
Lonely in a breathtaking condo overlooking a city that never cared if I existed or not.
Sitting on my couch with Jett, talking about real things and old memories, our parents and our regrets, I don’t want the night to end with him walking out my door and the house going quiet again.
I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.
Panic is creeping in now that the words are out.
