Page 117 of All I Need

“I know. The food here is so freaking addicting. But I mean because of everything that happened. I had no idea he was engaged. I promise.”

“I know you didn’t.”

“You do?”

“I do. And honestly, I’ve been over Michael, or Mick, whatever, for so long that it doesn’t really bother me but it just…”

“Brought up past hurt and that always sucks.”

“Basically, yes. I was so young when we were together. I didn’t know love until I met Michael. My parents were crappy, to say the least. And when I met Michael, I fell hard and fast. It doesn’t excuse him for sleeping with you but I think I overwhelmed him. I was a bit needy.”

“If it makes you feel any better, he’s never said a single thing about you being needy. He has nothing but nice things to say about you.”

“It’s nice to hear that. I’m not saying that it will be easy to be around Mick but I want you to know that I’m going to try. For Walker and Grayson, but also for you. Because I want you and I to be okay. I don’t need to tell you that Michael cheating on me kind of started a weird chain of events in my life but it led me here. To Walker. And I guess I kind of have him to thank for that. I mean, I won’t because I’m not that nice but…”

We share a smile and she blows out a relieved breath.

“I’m so glad to hear that.”

“Are you two… you know,” I hedge.

“Together?”

“Yeah,” I nod, taking another bite of cheesecake.

“I’m not really sure. We’re taking things slow, trying to see if there really is something there.” She pauses and sips on her coffee, looking at me over the rim of her cup. “Is this weird for you?”

“A little,” I tell her honestly. “But probably not any weirder than you knowing that I’m sleeping with your brother.”

She pulls a look that tells me how gross that is to her and I giggle.

“We’ll be okay, Willow. Just give me time.”

“I can see why my brother fell in love with you. You’re way more forgiving and understanding than I think I would be in this situation.”

“Well, I have to admit, it’s not been easy, but the alternative, not having Walker in my life, it’s just not something I can consider.”

“I’m so glad he has you.”

“Me too,” I say, emotion clogging my throat.

“So when are you moving in? You know, officially?”

I burst out laughing. “You know he’s asked me that a few times already.”

“I bet he has. He probably wanted you officially in that big old house of his for a while now.”

“I’m practically there already but actually, I think I’m going to surprise him and move the rest of my stuff in this weekend.”

“No shit?”

“Yeah. He has a few patients on Saturday morning so while he’s busy, I’ll load up the few things I still have at Polly’s and bring them over.”

“Oh he’s going to be so pissed that you did it on your own.”

“I know,” I laugh, my body heating up at the thought of how he’ll punish me for it.

We spend the next hour chatting over coffee before three women come through the door, laughing.

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