“Not every relationship ends in disaster. Some of them actually work out.”
I look up. “Says the woman who’s been with Derek for two years.”
Something flickers across her face. There and gone, so fast I almost miss it.
“How is Derek?” I ask, suddenly realizing I haven’t asked in weeks. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own drama. “Is everything okay with you guys?”
“Fine.” She says it too quickly, the same way I say “fine” when things are definitely not fine.
“Win.”
“It’s fine, Tori. We’re just... going through a thing.” She waves a hand vaguely. “Every couple goes through things.”
“What kind of thing?”
She’s quiet for a moment, stirring her smoothie with the paper straw. “The kind where I’m starting to wonder if we want the same things. Or if we ever did.”
My chest tightens. Winnie and Derek have never made sense to me, but I thought she was happy. They’re not the most obviously compatible couple—he’s kind of a dudebro with strong opinions about protein intake, the “right” way to grill a steak, and why everyone should be doing cold plunges. And she’s... well, Winnie, the sweetest, kindest, most genuine soul—but I always assumed they were solid.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really. Not today.” She looks up and gives me a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Today is about your love life drama. Mine can wait.”
“Win—”
“I mean it. I’m fine.” She reaches over and pats my hand. “Besides, we were in the middle of something important. You were telling me about your hockey player’s impressive... attributes.”
“I was not telling you that.”
“You were about to. I could see it in your eyes.”
I laugh despite myself. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m delightful. There’s a difference.” She grins, and it’s almost her normal grin. Almost. “Now. Back to the important stuff. You’ve kissed him twice. Met his daughter. So, what’s the plan?”
“There is no plan. I’m just... taking it day by day.”
“That’s not a plan. That’s avoidance.”
“It’s called being cautious.”
She takes a breath. “I think you’re going to sleep with him.”
I nearly spit out my smoothie. “Winnie.”
“No, I mean it. You’re going to sleep with him, and it’s going to be amazing, and then you’re going to have a full-scale panic attack about what it means.” She tilts her head. “Am I wrong?”
“I have rules,” I say weakly.
“Babe.” She puts a hand on my arm. “Rules are meant to be broken. Especially the dumb ones.”
“It’s not dumb. It’s my career.”
“Your career will survive. You’re good at your job. One relationship isn’t going to change that.” Her expression softens. “The question is whether your heart will survive if you keep pushing away the first guy who’s made you feel something in years.”
I’m not sure what to say.
Because she’s right. Zayden Bishop makes me feel things. Things I’d forgotten I was capable of feeling. Things I’d convinced myself I didn’t need.
