Page 42 of Words We Didn't Say

“What’s all the green shit?” she asked.

“Just some herbs.” I ducked past her laser eyes and slid the tray of coffees on the counter. The pot was next. I couldn’t resist rearranging the stems and fluffing the green leaves until they were picture-perfect.

“Did you stop by the markets this morning?”

“Ah, no.”

Andie’s eyes narrowed on the envelope stuffed in the leaves. The neat capital letters on the front were a dead giveaway. She’d seen enough of Zach’s shopping lists stuck on the fridge to recognise his writing.

“You saw the suit,” she said.

“He was at the gym.”

“You’ve got yourself a bit of a stalker.” She nodded at the card. “What’s it say?”

“N-Nothing.” I turned my body to shield my little pot of broken dreams.

“Tell that to your face.”

“Please. The gift, the card—they mean nothing. I’m totally unmoved.”

“Ed—”

“What?” I snapped. “My whole life turned upside down a few weeks ago. Do you want me to act like a robot? Pretend like I never cared about him?”

“I want you to stop pretending he cared about you!” She raked a hand through her hair.“Sorry. I just want you to remember why you left. Zach’s always working.Always. Even if we forget his side chick, think about why you schemed your way into his office in the first place. You were always running around after him. He hangs around the coffee shop a few times, gives you a jar of green shit, and you’re a heartbeat away from running around after his stupid arse all over again.”

“You make me sound like some dumb teenager.”

She scoffed. “You’re a lot damn smarter than most people give you credit for,” she said. “Ed, you’ve been running from some of these feelings for years—”

“Do not go there.”

Her lips flattened. “I’m just saying…” She sighed. “There’s nothing wrong with admitting you want to settle down and havea family when you never had one of your own. I get it. More than anyone, youknowI get it. But that doesn’t mean you should let Zach walk all over you because he might treat you right one day.”

“I left him. Without a second thought,I left.”

“You were in shock and hurting really fucking bad. We both know leaving is the easy part when people treat us like shit. It’s the weeks—the fuckingyears—after that matter. Don’t lose yourself again because Zach’s finally decided to notice you. You’re worth so much more.”

The two of us stood on opposite sides of the kitchen with matching folded arms, glaring at each other. I hated this was happening between us. My frustration should never be directed at the woman who was truly my ride or die. That didn’t mean my stubborn pride would let me apologise, though.

Yvette wandered into the kitchen. She waved, all smiles, dumped her oversized bag on the counter, and plucked her coffee from the tray. Beats passed. She shot a questioning glance over the top of her coffee, first to me, then to Andie, and then back again.

“Totes awkward energy in here, ladies,” she said.

Andie grunted.

Yvette cocked her head at the pot. “Where’d that come from?”

“The suit,” Andie said.

“Finally stepping up, is he?” Yvette smiled. “I thought he might.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said.

Yvette snorted a laugh.

Andie shook her head. “You’re not over him, Ed.”

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