Page 91 of Rewriting the Story

“It’s fine,” I tell him. “I know you all got past me ghosting, but—”

“Stop,” is all she says. “If you’re truly serious about trying to win Henry back, then prove it. If you do what you did with us, then you two could be really happy. When you two just met, I almost didn't recognize you. You were softer. You smiled and joked around more. You were inlove, Amelia, and if you really love Henry like we all think you do, then work it out.”

“But don’t just run back to him because he’s familiar. You have to truly love him, or it won’t work,” Leo adds, and even Ella is surprised, looking over at him in the passenger seat.

“Leo’s right,” she says with an eye roll. “You have to really want to make it work. Do you think you can do that with Henry?”

“I don’t want to hurt him again.”

“Then don’t, Ames. Fight like hell to break your own pattern of running, and prove to the people you love that you’re here for the long haul. Don’t let a few mistakes keep you from the life you deserve. But if you’re going to fight for him, you better fight like hell, because he deserves that and more.”

I touch the necklace again, dragging the pendant on the chain.

Of course I still love him, and not just because he was my first and only love. Henry truly feels like the missing piece I’ve been looking for my entire life. When I was with him, I felt whole again. I felt like I mattered, like I was good enough.

He filled up my cup that he never spilled in the first place. I didn't have to beg him to love me, he just did, as if it was as easy for him as breathing.

“Don’t you guys love the groveling trope?” Leo says.

Ella and I can’t help but laugh. He’s right.

“Yes,” I say with a smile. “I’ll be living in mine for as long as it takes, it seems.”

I’m going to love him right this time. I’m going to prove to him he’s worth it, because he always has been.

36

Two Weeks Later

Miles to Go by Gregory Alan Isakov

“I’msohappytosee you!” Paige squeals as she throws her arms around me.

“Thanks,” I smile. “But can we actually get inside your apartment? I’m freezing.”

“Oh, yeah.” She lets go as she ushers me inside, everyone else staring back at me.

“What?”

“I assumed you were a figment of my imagination,” Oliver jokes as he goes to the kitchen for a bottle ofwater.

“I’ll take this to-go in case you poisoned it.” I pat him on the arm, and he moves away from me.

“I wouldn't waste poison on you, Ames.”

“Aw,” I say, my hand on my heart.

“Guys,” Hads threatens. “Don’t make me get my ruler out.”

Oliver and I look at one another before we move to sit down, Paige clearing a spot on the couch for me. Oliver takes the floor in front of his wife.

“So, lovebirds,” I joke, “how was the honeymoon?”

“Ugh.” Paige’s head falls back. “It was amazing. It was the New England trip of my dreams. Thanks to Grant and his mom, we had the most adorable cabin on the water, and hearing the birds chirp when we woke up in the mornings was so peaceful. It was the detox we both needed.” She puts her hands on Oliver’s shoulders. “Right, Ol?”

He nods. “It was wonderful, but my favorite part is getting to call you my wife now.” He presses a kiss to one of her hands, and we all groan.

“We get it, you’re married.” I roll my eyes.

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