Page 89 of She Was Made for Me

“Well, I don’t know him,” Daisy concedes. “But I do know you can’t predict the future. You can’t know for sure how someone will react to something. If you tell him, there’s the possibility he might understand. But if you let her go, it’s definitely over.”

I stare at Daisy in astonishment. Why didn’t I think of it like that? She’s right—I can’t predict with absolute certainty what Rich will say or do, but if I let her go, I lose her.

And suddenly, the answer is simple.

I thank Daisy for the coffee and chat, then I head out into the morning air, knowing exactly what I need to do.

36

Violet

For a brief moment, when I wake to an empty bed, I wonder if Kyle has jumped in his truck and left town. Part of me would understand. He’s been adamant that we can’t tell Dad anything from day one, and even after our time at the lake he’s made no mention of doing so. That means we’re no closer to figuring our shit out.

My heart gives a thump of relief when I hear the front door close, and ten seconds later Kyle appears in the room with two cups of coffee.

“Morning, sweetheart,” he says, handing me one with a smile. He’s in his running gear, which I haven’t seen for a while. We’ve spent most mornings doing a different kind of workout, but I sense today isn’t one of those days.

“Thanks.” I take a sip of the strong coffee, wondering how today will unfold. Mom and Dad are coming this afternoon to view the house, and I’m not sure what will happen after that. As someone who likes to plan everything meticulously, this is new territory. I feel untethered, but in a different way to how I felt after losing my job. Then, I could always plan next steps, send out resumes to at least feel like I had some control, but with Kyle… I can’t control what he’ll decide. I can’t control what my heart will do.

He kicks off his running shoes and sinks onto the mattress beside me, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’ve made a decision,” he announces firmly. “I want to tell Rich.”

I almost drop my coffee. “You do?”

“Yes. And I want to do it today.”

Jesus Christ. Did he have a lobotomy while he was out?

“Why are you so sure all of a sudden?”

He rubs a hand absently over his beard. “I almost had a panic attack early this morning.”

“Oh, shit.” I twist to face him properly. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

He cringes, letting his gaze fall from mine. “I managed to stop it, and I didn’t want to bother you.”

I think back to what he said at the lake, about Lisa getting annoyed with him and eventually ending things. No wonder he wanted to keep it from me.

But I’m not her. I’m someone who knows what a panic attack feels like, and I’d never wish that upon anyone.

“Hey.” I touch his arm gently. “You never have to hide that from me. I want to be there if they happen, okay? I want to help.”

“I haven’t had one in years,” he murmurs. “But all this sneaking around, worrying about what Rich will say…”

I squeeze his arm. “I understand.”

“Then I went for a run, and I popped into Joe’s. While I was there, I chatted with Daisy…”

This makes me smile. I’ve been into Joe’s for coffee but haven’t had a chance to really talk to Daisy since we went for burgers on that fateful night. Still, I remember how sweet she was, how much she was rooting for me and Kyle.

“And what did she say?”

“First of all,” Kyle says, casting me an amused smile, “she told me that your date with Owen wasn’t quite what you made it out to be, and that you actually spent most of the night with her.”

A laugh escapes me. “Alright, fine. You got me. It was a ploy to get you into bed.”

He dips his head to press a kiss to my mouth. “I’m glad it worked,” he murmurs, breath warm against my lips, eyes forest-green and dancing with love.

I touch his cheek. “What else did Daisy say?”

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