Page 42 of Mr. Swoony

“Tristan posted a picture on his socials this morning.” She opens her phone and scrolls for a moment before handing it to me.

There’s no caption—just a picture of him in front of an ocean with this arm slung around some hot blonde. I would’ve expected my chest to squeeze or for anger to heat my veins, but there’s nothing.

“He went on our honeymoon. Why am I not surprised.”

“Do you know the woman?” she asks.

I shake my head. “If I had to guess, I’d say he probably just met her and picked her up at the resort. Either because he’s hurting, or he’s trying to hurt me.”

I understand that I ran out on our wedding, but when he didn’t even try to contact me afterward, that told me all I needed to know. I feel bad about how everything went down, but a man who is heartbroken at his relationship falling apart would at least call you to find out why it happened, right?

“You’re better off,” Jade says, patting my leg and standing. “Come and eat when you’re ready.”

“Thanks, Jade. For everything.”

“That’s what best friends are for.” She walks behind me, and the front door clicks shut again.

There’s no point in wallowing. Tristan wasn’t nearly as invested as I was in our relationship. He’s made his choices, and it’s about time I make mine.

I’ve got until November before I turn thirty, and I plan on finally crossing items off my list.

Eighteen

Conor

Eloise is upstairs with Jade, borrowing some of her clothes until she can get her stuff from Tristan’s. I haven’t questioned Eloise as to whether she thinks there’s a chance her stuff might not be there anymore. Supposedly, the movers took her stuff to his house on Friday morning before their rehearsal.

“Are you sure about this?” Rowan asks me as we sit at Henry’s kitchen table.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”

“I get the whole instant connection thing, but moving her in after she just ran out on her wedding?” Tweetie shakes his head and downs the rest of his coffee.

“We’re not going to date. She’s not going to be sleeping in my bed.”

Henry scoffs, pulling my attention to him. He’s been quiet most of the morning.

“Speak your mind, Daddy.” Tweetie holds out his hand as if we’re in some business meeting, and he’s magnanimously giving up the floor.

Henry’s eyes bore into mine over the rim of his coffee mug. He swallows and sets the cup down in front of him. “She’s Jade’s best friend.”

“I know.” I maintain eye contact.

“If you hurt her, Jade is going to be upset. If Jade gets upset, I’m going to be pissed off. Last year, you were concerned my feelings for Jade were gonna fuck up our team dynamic. How do you think it’s going to be if you screw over Eloise, my fiancée’s best friend?”

I sink back into my chair and run my hand over my face. “I’m not going to screw her over.”

He twists his coffee mug in his hands. “I hope not. But don’t go fucking around with her emotions. Crashing the wedding turned out to be a good thing. Tristan was a shitty fiancé from what Jade says, and Eloise wasn’t happy. But to move her in with you is next level.”

Tweetie and Rowan remain quiet.

“Daddy, I promise, we’re roommates only. I’m not going to step over that line unless she tells me she’s ready to. But I can’t sit here and tell you I don’t want to. I like her, and I know there’s something between us. That said, I’d never try to get with her right now. I understand she needs time to heal.”

He nods.

“Relax, Henry, I’ve never seen Conor so invested. I have a feeling he knows what he’s doing.” Rowan smiles at me.

“Thanks, man.” I’m happy that a guy who knew me in college sees how different I am right now.

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