Page 138 of River & Rue

“That too.” She laughs weakly. “In other shitty news, Olive and Eric got engaged over the weekend.”

I jolt to my feet. “That’s it—I’m packing my shit and coming home right now.”

Her laugh is a touch lighter. “I’m not in San Diego. Officially hiding out in Wilder and Eva’s guesthouse until further notice.”

“Then I’ll come there. Madrone Island, right? Send me their address. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

“I’m fine, Rue. Or I will be.”

I sit back down, my throat tight. “You don’t want me to come?”

“Of course I do. My transition to single life won’t be complete without crying on my best friend’s shoulder.”

“But…?”

She hesitates. “I need a few weeks. I… I have to start figuring out how to do this whole life thing without you.”

A pit opens inside me, sudden and eager, like it’s been waiting for me to face it. Despite knowing I’m not losing my best friend, I am losing the central pillar of my life for the last ten years. There’s no escaping this sacrifice, not if I want to be with River. And it fucking hurts.

I swallow a sob. “I’m sorry, Ivy. I didn’t mean to. I tried not to.”

Her voice thickens with tears. “Does that mean what I think it does? Because I could really use some good news. Please, please tell me you’re in love with River.”

My next sob quivers with laughter. “I’m in love with River.”

She squeals and yells, “Eva! We won!”

There’s a faint, elated shout in the background.

“Won? Won what?”

“So… don’t be mad, but there might have been a betting pool on when you two would figure your shit out. Dad promised to match the pot, so I think around forty thousand will be going to River’s arts charity.”

My next breath goes down wrong, and I cough. “Jesus. Even after a decade, I still forget how stupid-rich your family is.”

“Because we’re not snobs?”

I smile and swipe the tears from my cheeks. “I wouldn’t go that far. You have met Olive, right?”

This time when she laughs, it’s undeniably real.

“Enough about the bet and the vampire I shared a womb with. As your BFF, I have one rule going forward. You will never, under any circumstances, tell me what happens between you and my brother—gag—behind closed doors.”

“Deal.”

“Excellent. Now tell me everything.”

part 2

river

TEN DAYS LATER

Dan closes the trunk of Maya’s car, glances at the women hugging and whispering to each other near the driver’s door, then shuffles toward me.

He stops a few feet away, his gaze on the ground between us.

“So, uh… it’s been⁠—”