Page 95 of Always Knew It Was You

I think I know what that is.

Because while I like suave, sexy Micah, and dominant Micah, and heck even arrogant Micah...

Goofy Micah, the one in the pink headband, the one who escorts old ladies to yoga. That man is my kryptonite.

And that’s when I know I’m in serious trouble.

I look away from him and immediately catch Tate’s eyes. She’s standing a little away from the crowd, near the back of the parking lot. I get the feeling she’s been waiting to talk to me for some time and now that we’re looking at each other, she beckons me over.

“Give me a second, guys,” I say to the two men before I walk to her.

I barely get there before she begins talking.

“Hey, I just wanted to apologize,” she starts. “You know with me telling Emma about your problem. You were right, it’s not my place to interfere and even though it came from a place of genuine care, I shouldn’t have butted my nose into something that wasn’t my business.”

I blink at her.

“Well, thank you for saying that,” I respond. And since she’s being honest, I decide to be honest right back. “I can’t lie, I was really pissed when you did that.”

“Yeah, I know.” She gives me a wry look. “Try as you might, Carly, you’re not very good at hiding your emotions. Which is how I also know you don’t really like me very much. No, don’t deny it.” She holds up her hand when I try to protest. “I’ve known for a while. Even Emma knows. She thinks it’s because of all those shitty questions I asked when we were younger. I know now how uncomfortable they made you. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean it that way; I just don’t think before things come out of my mouth sometimes.”

I sigh. This isn’t where or how I wanted to have this conversation, but it’s a conversation we need to have. Tate is doing her part. I need to do mine too.

I stare Tate in the eyes, feeling like I’m seeing her for the first time. And I want her to see me too.

“I don’t dislike you, Tate,” I tell her. “Honest. I was just always ferociously jealous of you.”

Her perfectly arched eyebrows climb up her forehead. “Jealousof me?”

“Well, duh. Half the girls in our class were, maybe except Emma because she has a heart of gold. Have you seen yourself? You’re gorgeous. Accomplished. Smart. And you don’t take shit from anyone. I wanted to be you but hard as I might try, I couldn’t do it.”

Tate remains wide-eyed for the better part of a minute.

And she bursts into loud peals of laughter, which attracts the attention of some of the elderly leaving the lot.

“Jealous?” she says in a much lower tone. “Youwere jealous ofme?”

“Of course.”

“Oh, Carly. I was jealous of you too.”

“Really?” I frown. Now that made no sense. “Why would you be?”

She shakes her head. “I guess you don’t see yourself as you are either. Carly, I’ve always admired your strength and how driven you are. How you hold your head up high despite your disaster of a family. How hard you work to take care of them still and make a name for yourself. How you stand up to them while still loving them. That’s a balance I’ve never found with my mom and she’s not quite as bad. And, Carly, you... I’ve never seen anyone more driven and kinder than you. Even to people who don’t deserve it.”

I stand there staring at her. I truly don’t know what to say. This wasn’t at all how I expected today to go, and this talk has even veered off the cliff as well.

Tate Moon was jealous of me, Carly Huntley.

It sounds so ridiculous, I can’t even imagine it.

But Tate stands there, looking slightly unsure, as though she just bared a deep insecurity of hers.

I can’t hold back anymore.

Suddenly, I burst out laughing.

The best part is that Tate does too.

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