He starts walking out of the office area, toward the elevator, and I follow. “Let’s go grab some sandwiches while she finishes the call. She’ll need something to eat after that conversation.”
Kingston looks like he needs a strong drink.
I suck in a deep breath. It hurts hearing this again. Seeing how much their parents have hurt both Lucy and Willa.
No wonder Lucy felt like she had to take care of her sister. I would have felt the same way about Ainsley.
I follow him onto the elevator and listen to the hum of the motor as it brings us to the ground floor.
“Should I say something to Lucy about the phone call?” I ask as the elevator chimes and the doors slide open.
Kingston shakes his head. “I wouldn’t. From what Willa’s told me, their dad went no-contact for years. It might getLucy’s hopes up. And it sounds like she’s been through enough already.”
“She’s stronger than you two realize,” I mutter as I follow him out the main doors and start walking toward the sandwich shop only a couple of doors down.
Kingston nods his agreement. “I think you’re right. She’s just better at hiding it than the rest of us. Thanks for walking with me. I probably would have hovered outside the door without you.”
“Yeah, well, I need to talk about something big with you.”
“As if we haven’t already had enough big shocks today,” Kingston mumbles as he opens the door to the restaurant.
The shop smells good when we enter. Kingston places an order for a couple of sandwiches, and then I place my order.
“Why’d we even bother coming in to work today?” Kingston asks dryly as we move out of the way of the ordering line.
“It’s the only place we could find you two so we could talk. Lucy didn’t want to hide it anymore.”
“I wish I could say I was shocked that you guys are married…” Kingston pauses.
“But?”
He grins. “But I’m not. You’ve always been sure of what you want.”
“You realize it’s all fake, right?”
Kingston throws his head back and laughs. “Yeah, Lucy and Willa might think that…but I know you. And I think I know when my best friend is head over heels in love with someone.”
I grimace. “If it’s so obvious, why hasn’t she noticed or said anything?”
“Have you ever considered that she might feel the same way? You are married, after all.”
“You just like saying the M-word.”
“Yeah, because I never thought you’d find someone that you felt comfortable with.”
I bristle at that. “You’re my best friend. I’m comfortable with you.”
Kingston shakes his head. “But you feel safer with Lucy. I’ve watched you two. You don’t have to perform for her or mask your feelings. I know you’re good at making everyone feel comfortable in a group. You’re the one who’s good at making people feel at ease—even if they’re not your favorite person—but I know you have to always beon. I like seeing you comfortable with someone.”
There’s no point in denying it. “I love her, and I want her to stay married to me, but I don’t want to scare her away by telling her that.”
“Well, sounds like you’re in a real pickle.” He walks away, laughing.
Like he’s enjoying me having a problem.
“You’re about to have your own pickle,” I call after him.
The lady standing next to me in the sandwich shop looks at me with concern on her face.
