Page 32 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

A double betrayal.Dad and I are going to have words over his loyalty.

“I can meet you at the gazebo at 6:30.Is that okay?”

He agrees and leaves me holding his flowers as he returns to his car.

Maybe I’m being a fool by holding out for Seth.I think about heading to the small wedding chapel on my dad’s property to sit and mull all of this over, but it’s farther than I want to go.Instead, I take a left down a more hidden path that ends at a wide, flat rock that I can sit on and stare out over the river.I meditate and pray a little, but my mind is as confused as ever.

Rick was good for me.He is stable and calming.He can be sweet, and he’s dedicated to his career and supportive of mine.The night I got the call about my internship, he took me to my favorite restaurant and did a big post on Instagram talking about how proud he was of me.He didn’t know that internship wasn’t my dream.

A life with Rick would be secure and interesting, I’m sure.All the things I didn’t like about him were things he couldn’t help because he didn’t know the real me.That’s my fault for not sharing my true self with him, not his.That night he dumped me, if he’d proposed instead, I would’ve said yes because I loved him.

At least I thought I did…until Seth came home.I head back to the bunkhouse, collapse into my bed and pick up my phone.

Mae: Rick’s here.

Seth: What?Why?

Mae: Dad told him I missed him.Rick now wants to get back together.

Seth: So.Are you getting back together?

Mae: I’m confused.Tell me what to do.

Seth: What do you want me to say?

I want him to say to tell Rick to go to hell because I’m his.That’s what I want him to say.But I can’t tell him that, and I wish I could.That would be way too bold and scary.Plus, I’d be asking him to risk his family’s business, and that’s not fair.

On the other hand, if he tells me to pursue Rick, I will, because he’s okay with it.I hate that I have this unconscious need to please everyone.

Mae: I don’t know.

It’s a long few moments before he responds again.

Seth: Your dad brought him here.And I know he made you happy before.Maybe you should make an effort.If nothing else, it’ll keep your dad off your back.And it’s not like there’s anything happening with us.Even if we want it to.

Mae: I don’t want you to be right.But you are.

* * *

The next morning, Abi pokes her head over the side of the bed, her face wild with excitement.“Isaac needs our help today.”

“I have another job, remember.I can’t join you.Darn.”

Isaac only ever needs our help for one thing—taking groups of campers on a trail ride.

And I hate it.

The horses are fine.I like animals, and I’ve ridden the same horse for years.She likes me well enough, but it’s uncomfortable, and I hate the jarring up-and-down motion.I’ve never, ever told Abi this.She loves riding horses, so we go as often as she wants, and I pretend that I love it.

“I’ve already messaged Seth,” she says, missing my sarcasm as I expected.“It’ll be good to get some vids and things with the horses, and we’ve got nothing on them yet.”

She drops back into bed, and I pick up my phone.

Mae: Isn’t it supposed to rain today?

Seth: Maybe.But I thought you’d enjoy the change of scenery.

Mae: I like the scenery in the office just fine, thanks.

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