Page 105 of Off the Wall

“Not the point,” East says.

“Show me the video,” Becca says. I pull it up, and they both watch together. And I watch them watching. As Cash and I dance, their expressions soften. I don’t miss the glance they share.

“What?” I gulp.

“You two do look very …” Becca’s voice trails off.

East clears his throat. “Veryvery.”

“But we didn’t even kiss,” I say. “Well, not until later. And then there was one time before. But anyway, there’s no proof Cash and I were anything more to each other than friends.”

“It’s obvious you care about him, though.” Becca’s hand is back, but on my shoulder this time. “A lot.”

I nod, blinking back tears. “I wanted him to be my final date, but Jemma said no. And I swear I would’ve backed out of the contract—I don’t even want the money anymore—but I can’t go to court.” My breath catches. “I only agreed to the promotion so I could buy Serendipi-Tea, which isn’t even happening anymore.” Fresh tears begin to fall, dripping down my chin. “And Cash is leaving, so I?—”

“Hold on,” Becca interrupts, suddenly. “You should call Phoenix.”

I scrunch up my face. “What?”

“Pamela’s friend. Phoenix Fernsby. The lawyer? I know you two didn’t hit it off, but he’s still a super-nice guy.” Becca studies my face. “Bad idea?”

I huff out a breath, amazed that I hadn’t thought of this myself. “No. That idea is so … so smart.”

“Spoiler alert.” East grunts. “Becca’s so, so smart.”

“I guess I’ve been in too much of a brain fog lately to think clearly myself.”

“Well, that’s what I’m here for.” Becca offers me a sweet smile. “All the smartness. And clear thinking.”

A fresh sob rises in my throat, but I gulp it down. “You’ve had to deal with my dumbness for so long.”

“Hey,” Becca quips. “Don’t you dare say that about my favorite Nori.” She hands me a dry tissue. “Eleanor Sinclair happens to be kind and generous and hilarious. Oh, and she’s absolutely drop-dead gorgeous.”

I cough out a wet laugh. “You have to say that. I look just like the female version of your husband.”

East smirks. “True story.”

“Okay, forget about that part,” Becca says. “You’re also brilliant and strong and capable.”

“Sure.” I honk into the tissue. “If I’m all those things, then why do I keep failing?”

“You’re not failing, Nori.” East’s voice is deep. Firm. “You’ve never failed. Ever.”

“He’s right.” Becca nods. “You’ve just been learning what hasn’t worked for you yet. And you’ll keep on learning until you find the thing that does work.”

“Look at me, though.” I breathe out a long, raggedy sigh. “I’ve been trying so hard not to need you guys, and I ended up blubbering all over your kitchen.”

Becca grabs my hand, snotty tissue and all. “It’s okay to need other people, Nori. It’s kind of the whole point of having more than one human on earth.”

“But I needed you both way too much,” I choke. “For way too long.”

East leans over the table. “Maybe you don’t get to decide that,” he says. “Maybe Becca and I made all our own choices and ended up exactly where we were meant to be. Where wewantedto be.”

“Wantto be.” Becca aims a chuckle at East. “Let’s use the present tense, honey. Because Cabo was a want-fest.”

“Eww. You’re stillmarried to my brother, you know.”

“Yes. For twenty-three years. And what does that tell you?”

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