Page 112 of My Ex's Best Friend

It wasn’t until he actually said it out loud that it begins to dawn on me. I’m going to be a father. It should feel terrifying, but it doesn’t. On the contrary, it feels like the most natural thing in the world, like it was always meant to be.

Kiera and I haven’t been together for long, but we’ve known each other for eternity. She’s my stronghold in the storm.

“Yes, Dad. But she’s upset with me.”

“I think you’re not trying hard enough.”

“Dad, it’s complicated.”

“She’s going to be the mother of your child. Nothing is ever complicated when it comes to love.”

I nod. I can’t see my future without her in it.

“And you think she's going to come back?"

"It's not going to be easy," Dad says. "But being honest with her is a good start. You two have a long history. I'm sure she'll hear you out if you try hard enough."

Dad is right. I have to keep trying. Kiera is the best thing to happen to me. I can’t let her go.

28

KIERA

I wait for a few minutes before I walk out to the window. The door closes downstairs, and I pull my curtain aside and look down. Seeing him walk away is one of the most painful things ever.

He stops and whirls around on his feet.

I pull back as he calls, “Kiera.”

My heart thunders in my chest, a deafening roar in my eyes.

The look on his face haunts me. Jake looks so broken… Except, other than that night that was a misunderstanding and now, he never really lied to me before. So, why?

Could he have changed so much in the past five years?

I sit down on my bed.

I need to be strong. I saw his name on Chris’s phone. The woman, whoever she was told Chris Jake wasn’t there, not that she didn’t know him. If I fall for his lies again, I’ll be nothing more than a fool.

Now he knows I never want to see him again. Maybe he’ll stay away.

But why does that thought hurt me so much?

I text Ellie.

Has Jake been by the apartment?

Her answer comes fast.

Yes, and you should really listen to what he has to say.

I can’t believe that he managed to manipulate my best friend, as well.

How dare he?

I stop going out and start staying in. I know my parents are worried about me, but they don’t ask questions. Well, at least I’ve gotten a lot of reading done.

And I’m exhausted all the time, even without doing anything. Sometimes, I’ll open my laptop and add new inspiration to my Pinterest board. I wonder how the museum project is going before quickly shaking myself out of it.

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