Page 116 of My Ex's Best Friend

She holds up her hand. “I swear I’m not trying to win any arguments here. But think about it. You know that boy more than anyone in this world. Peek into your heart. Do you really think he’s capable of hurting you like this?”

“I don’t know what to think anymore.”

“You just admitted that you love him. And I see the same love in him,” she says. “If not for yourself, then for the sake of your baby, you have to make some hard decisions.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding in.

She’s right. For better or for worse, the baby has tied Jake and me together.

“Do I have to decide right away?”

“Of course not,” she says. “Take your time. Maybe go for a walk? You haven’t stepped foot outside this house in a week.”

That’s because I’m always scared about running into Jake. But he’s gone now, so that’s not going to be a problem.

And my heart shatters all over again at the thought the regardless of what decision I make, I might be too late. My breath starts to come a bit shorter.

“You know what? A walk sounds like a good idea.”

29

JAKE

I've gotten the routine of going to Kiera's home down to an art. Every day, three times a day at exactly the same time, I pull up to her house, say hi to her parents, and leave something for her.

I don't expect anything to come of that, but I have a physical need to be close to her. So, other than camping in her front or backyard, this is the best way I have to catch a glimpse of her.

Sometimes, I catch sight of her hiding behind the curtains in her room upstairs. Never fails to make me smile when she isn't quick enough to hide or when I catch her in the reflection in my rearview mirror.

It's torturous, having her so close, yet so far, but I love her, and I need her in my life, so I promised myself that I won't stop trying to win her over.

It's going to be a long, uphill battle. But she is it for me, and I will not back down.

Besides, her parents are incredibly sweet. Her mom always has coffee and cookies set out for me whenever I'm over. And even her father makes small talk with me. He no longer looks at me like he's about to strangle me to death, so I'm sure I've at least made some progress on that front.

It's only been a week, or already depending on how I want to look at it. Every time I drop by, I ask her mom if Kiera at least sees the gifts I leave her.

She tells me sadly that she wants them to throw all of it out, but her mom has all of it tucked away somewhere. That gives me hope.

They think Kiera is going to come around. Even my parents agree.

Mom actually wanted to come with me to see Kiera, but I convinced her to wait. I'm going to win Kiera over before anything else. I don't want to overwhelm her.

That also means coming up with a plan to tell her everything. I know she isn’t ready to hear what I've to say, and maybe she won't even believe me at first. But I'm going to try and try again and never give up and one day, I will win her over.

Kiera and I are soulmates. I know she loves me back. I just have to break the web of lies that Chris has built around us.

And I’m ready to be on my way now, so I get ready to leave the house.

Dad stops me.

"Are you going by Kiera's?"

"Yes."

"Perfect. I have a painting I want you to deliver to Peter's."

Peter's is this cozy café in Eros.

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