Page 43

It felt like her honesty stole the air from my lungs. “I’m sorry.”

She shrugged.

“Listen.” Megan pointed at Celia, then at me. “You guys are disgustingly sweet together. From what my best friend told me about last night, there’s no way either of you could’ve known about your unfortunate connection before you fell in love. But you did. Right?”

Celia’s lips were pressed into a flat line, but she nodded.

“I did,” I murmured.

“Then don’t throw it away.” Megan put her shoes on and grabbed her bag. “I’ll go so you can talk.”

Celia threw her arms around her best friend for a long hug. Her shoulders shook a few times, and I worried she was trying not to cry. But her cheeks were dry when she pulled away. “Thanks. For everything.”

“I’ll always be here for you,” Megan promised. “And thank you for feeding my soul with your food even while you were hurting.”

I looked down at my shoes, my throat tight at the care the two friends had for each other. But Megan caught my attention when she passed me on her way to the door.

“One last thing. You’re both good people.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “The same can’t be said for those who’re being loud about all the reasons you two shouldn’t be together.”

Celia grimaced but didn’t disagree. Not that I blamed her since she had good reason to dislike Ellie, Harry, and Courtney. Even more than she most likely realized if what I suspected was true.

As soon as Megan left, Celia turned to me. “I guess we should probably talk.”

“Yeah.”

I followed her over to the couch but was careful not to sit too close, so as not to crowd her.

She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her shins. “This is weird, huh?”

“My mom would say it’s like one of her shows,” I mused, shaking my head. “Only I’m not sure the soap opera writers would’ve come up with a plot like this.”

Celia’s lips curved the tiniest bit. “If they had, then I really would’ve planned it so I’d be the villainess everyone loves to hate.”

Seeing the wounded look in her eyes, I knew she was thinking about the accusations Ellie and Harry had tossed at her last night.

“You’re too nice for that role.”

She shrugged. “I wasn’t feeling very nice when I taunted Harrison about becoming his mother-in-law.”

“Except you’re regretting what you said, aren’t you?” When she nodded, I added, “Even though he hurt you?”

“Hurt is putting it mildly.” She took a shuddering breath. “I haven’t talked about it with you much because I didn’t want to be the woman who always complains about her ex. But maybe if I’d said more, we would have⁠—”

“Don’t blame yourself,” I interrupted. “No matter what happens next, I’m glad I had the chance to fall in love with you.”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “Julian.”

“Sorry.”

“I just don’t know what to do,” she whispered.

“How about we set the record straight because I’m pretty damn sure I was fed a load of bullshit during your divorce.” A muscle jumped in my jaw. “I just don’t know if Ellie believed everything she told me or if Harry was lying to her.”

“I don’t want you to hate me once you know the truth.”

I pressed a finger under her chin until she met my gaze. “About Ellie?”

Her eyes turned anguished as she nodded.