Page 93 of She Was Made for Me

“What was the other thing you wanted to tell us?” Dad asks.

I open and close my mouth, the words trapped in my throat as I look at Kyle. There must be something on my face that tells him what I’m thinking, because his expression shifts from one of anxious expectation to grim resignation. His shoulders sag and he sighs deeply, turning away.

“Nothing.” I wrench my gaze from him. “It was… it was just that.”

“Well, I think we need to celebrate,” Mom says, and Dad nods in agreement.

“Absolutely. A fantastic restoration of the house and a new job!” He grins at Kyle, who can barely muster a smile, and I press my eyes shut against a rush of unexpected tears.

“Dinner and drinks on us. What do you say?” Dad looks at me excitedly and I try to swallow down the lump in my throat.

“Sure,” I murmur hoarsely. I flick a gaze to Kyle, and he shakes his head.

“I’m not feeling well.” He rubs his forehead, not meeting my gaze. “I think I’ll take a raincheck.”

Dad’s face falls. “Are you sure? We’d love for you—”

“I’m sure. Sorry, guys. Go celebrate as a family. I need to pack the truck and get ready to leave in the morning anyway.”

My heart twists at his words, but I force myself not to react. What did I expect? I’m not telling Mom and Dad about us, so that means it’s over. It has to be. Kyle doesn’t want to keep lying and neither do I. And then there’s the project manager job that Dad thinks I should take…

This is the right thing to do, I tell myself. It’s what the plan was all along: finish this project then get back to my real life. Dad’s right, I can’t turn down that job offer. And I can’t hide things from him anymore. I don’t have a choice.

I tell my parents I need some time to shower and get ready, then I’ll meet them at a restaurant on the Upper West Side in a few hours. They agree, reluctantly leaving after Kyle insists he can’t come.

Then the door shuts and only me and Kyle remain in the house, and I burst into tears.

37

Kyle

“Hey,” I say softly as Violet crumples before me.

“I’m sorry.” She wipes her eyes with trembling hands. “I couldn’t do it. You heard what Dad said about being proud of me, even after I lied about my job. I just couldn’t do it.”

I nod, hesitating before pulling her into my arms. I’m not sure if I should, but I can’t stand to see her upset.

“I know.” I stroke her hair gently. “I understand, Vi.”

And the thing is, Idounderstand. She feels like she has to choose between the love of her father and me, and I don’t blame her one bit for choosing Rich. I had my own reservations about telling him—it wasn’t until a few hours ago I decided I was prepared to go through with it—so if she feels like she can’t do it, I get that. A small part of me is almost relieved I don’t have to hurt my friend.

It doesn’t mean my heart isn’t broken, though.

She looks up at me, eyes glistening with tears. “I’m so sorry,” she says again.

“It’s okay.” I have to force the words out, because even though it doesn’t feel okay, I know it’s what she needs to hear. “The time we’ve spent together has been amazing. But… maybe that’s all it was supposed to be. Maybe anything more is too hard.”

“We could try again to tell him—”

“Shh.” I press a finger to her lips, shaking my head. I’d never be okay with making her do something she doesn’t want to do, just like she never pressured me to tell Rich when I didn’t feel like I could. “I don’t want to come between you and your dad.”

“I don’t have to take the job,” she says feebly.

“You should.” I wipe her moist cheek. “I’d never forgive myself if I let you throw away this opportunity for me.”

“But that means…” Her eyes search mine, filling with tears again. “It’s over.”

I swallow, my throat rough with emotion. “Yeah.”

---