Page 86 of XOXO, Valentina

Thatcher [6:00 p.m.] : I’m closing up the shop now. I can be there in five.

Lacey [6:01 p.m.]: I’m meeting Beckett for dinner, but I can reschedule.

Kennedy [6:01 p.m.] : Don’t ruin your night on my account, L.

Lacey [6:02 p.m.] : Sorry

Mia [6:03 p.m.] : I’m at the office, but I could use a lunch break.

Gabi [6:04 p.m.] It’s dinner time, M!

Kennedy [6:05 p.m.] Gabi’s back!! I want to hear all about CR.

I wanted to hear all about why Kennedy, who was as serene as Mother Theresa, was mad. Normally, I wouldn’t leave this late at night when Shane would be home alone, but he’d proven he wasn’t a little kid anymore with his wise advice.

I popped into his room and told him I was going to meet my friends from the book club and I’d be back before bedtime.

He shoved his headset to the side long enough to tell me to have fun, then went back to his game.

By the time I drove into town and joined my friends, they were already tearing into a large pepperoni.

My heart overflowed at the sight of them. Maybe I was emotional after spending so much time having Joey pluck at my heartstrings, but I almost teared up when I sat down with them.

“Look at you!” Sloane hopped up from her chair to hug me. “You look so tan and…” Her voice faded. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head and took the seat next to Kennedy. “Nothing.”

“Not nothing,” Kennedy said. “What did he do?”

I swiped at my tears.

Mia narrowed her eyes at me from across the table. “If you need him roughed up, I know a guy.”

Kennedy put her arm around me. The soft sweep of her hair tickled my cheek as she pulled me in for a hug. “What happened, honey?”

I sniffed loudly. “He told me he loved me.”

“Jesus.” Thatcher slammed his beer on the table. “Have him arrested, Ms. James.”

Mia scowled. “Shut your man hole.”

“Can’t you see she’s hurting?” Sloane filled a glass of beer from the pitcher on the table and pushed it toward me.

“Do you love him back, or what?” Thatcher asked.

I buried my face in my hands. Joey was everything I’d ever dared to want in a man. “It’s complicated.”

“Boy, is it.” Sloane came to sit on the other side of me and patted my shoulder. “You don’t have to make any decisions right now. He isn’t going anywhere.”

“A man tells a woman he loves her, it’s a big deal,” Thatcher said. “What did you say back?”

“I don’t remember. It was quite a moment.

“Please tell me you didn’t say thank you?” Thatcher curled his lip. “That’s the worst.”

Had I thanked Joey? Everything was a blur. I was more confused the more I thought about it, and I missed him like crazy. And maybe I did love him a little. What was I going to do at work tomorrow? I wouldn’t possibly be able look at him without blushing. Would I have to avoid him again? For how long?Forever.

I needed to steer the conversation in a different direction. “What’s going on with you, Kennedy?”

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