Page 85 of If My Wishes Came True
“I’m going to tell Vanessa tomorrow,” I continue. “But I’m terrified. I have no idea how she’ll react.”
I wish Marie would say something. Every second that passes in silence makes me more and more anxious.
Finally, I hit my limit. “Do you hate me?”
She turns to me and rests her hand on my shoulder, like she did in class earlier. “Of course not, Jenna. I know you didn’t mean for this to happen.”
I sniffle. “Thank you for saying that.”
“I was only being quiet because this piece took my breath away,” she explains. “It’s your finest work.”
“I think so, too,” I admit. “But I don’t know if I feel comfortable showing it now…under the circumstances.”
Marie nods. “I understand. Like I said, all of your paintings are impressive. I’ll tell my friend at the gallery to expect one portrait from your collection, and you can take some time to decide which one. To me, the choice is clear.”
“Thank you,” I say, my heart heavy. “I’m just worried about upsetting Vanessa. I’m scared she hasn’t moved on. She says she doesn’t regret calling off the wedding, but she hasn’t started dating yet. Has she?”
For a moment, I allow myself to be hopeful. Maybe Vanessa’s tight-lipped about her love life with friends, but shares more with her family.
Unfortunately, the frown on Marie’s face tells me otherwise. “Vanessa’s been secretive these days. Well, I call it secretive—she says she’s busy with work, but I’m not so sure. I wish I had an answer for you.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “Thanks, anyway.”
She looks back at Charlie’s portrait. “But there is one thing I can say, Jenna.”
I turn to her, my forehead creased.
Marie gives me a sympathetic smile. “I never once saw him look at Vanessa this way.”
My hands are trembling as I stand outside Vanessa’s door at precisely 6:59 p.m., praying that I can manage to calm my nerves in the next sixty seconds or less.
I’m not sure what I’m most anxious about. Telling my friend that my boyfriend, Charlie, also happens to be her ex, Nico? Asking her if she’s still in love with him? Hearing her explain why she didn’t want to marry him?
I’d honestly rather have a root canal than have this conversation. And Ireallyhate going to the dentist.
I close my eyes and rehearse what I’m going to say for probably the hundredth time today.
Vanessa…I just found out that Charlie is Charles Nicolas Sutton.
I had no idea—I swear.
The last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt you.
But I’m in love with him.
Do you love him, too?
What do we do? Where do we go from here?
I look at my phone. It’s seven o’clock.
I knock.
My heart thumps as I hear Vanessa’s footsteps getting closer. It takes a Herculean effort to unclench my jaw and unfurrow my brow.
I plan to throw my arms around her as soon as I see her. She’ll be bright-eyed and smiling, and totally unsuspecting. I’ll squeeze her tight and, for a moment, at least, I’ll get to enjoy the normalcy between us.
But when Vanessa opens the door, I freeze.
