Page 86 of If My Wishes Came True
She looks…I don’t know, bewildered? Flustered maybe?
“Hey,” I say, my brows knitting back together. “Is everything okay?”
She sighs. “Sorry—I just got some news that came as a bit of a shock.”
A pang of worry hits my gut. “It’s not about Tati Marie, is it?”
Vanessa shakes her head. “No, it’s not, thank goodness.” She gestures for me to hand her the bottle of wine I’m carrying. “Here, come in.”
I follow Vanessa, relieved. Marie’s been more of a maternal figure to me than any other woman I’ve known. She’s encouraged my friendship with her niece. She’s supported me as an artist, and given me the amazing opportunity to show my work. And last night, she even took care of me—making me her special “remedy” when she thought I was coming down with something, and comforting me when she found out I was lovesick.
Wait a minute.
Is it possible Marie told Vanessa that Charlie is Nico? Is thatwhy my friend’s so out of sorts?
She doesn’t look back at me once as she leads me through her living room. She doesn’t say a word. Not, “It’s so good to see you!” or “Can’t wait to catch up!” or “Hey! I heard you’re sleeping with my ex! How’s that going?”
As we get closer to her kitchen, I start to feel like I’m walking the plank.
Take a deep breath,I remind myself, my stomach churning. Vanessa’s shock could have been triggered by any number of things. Unemployment rates. Climate change. Endangered species. This probably has nothing to do with me and Charlie.
Except…he’s standing in her kitchen.
When I see him at her island, I gasp. He knew I was planning to talk to Vanessa today. So why is he here? And why does he look so uncomfortable? There are beads of sweat on his forehead.
He’s also heartbreakingly handsome. Did he get more gorgeous in the four days since I’ve seen him? When his eyes travel from Vanessa to me, his gaze softens, and that same magnetic pull draws me to him. I want to run into his arms, but I can’t. What if I never will again?
“I told Vanessa,” he says.
“Oh.” I turn to look at my friend.
She clears her throat. “He said you were planning to tell me today. And that you didn’t feel comfortable seeing him again until after we talked. I appreciate that.”
I nod, shying away from her gaze. Without that signature grin on her face, Vanessa intimidates me. I feel so small, all of a sudden. There she is, tall, and lithe. She’s the perfect heightfor Charlie.
They look good together.
They’ve been together. Slept together. Laughed together. Planned a wedding together. She’s known him much longer than I have. I have no right to be jealous, but I am.
I also feel guilty for robbing my friend of her beautiful smile.
My eyes fill with tears. “I’m so sorry, Vanessa.”
“You didn’t mean for this to happen,” she replies, sounding like Tati Marie. She’s still unsmiling, but her tone is gracious, which makes my heart hurt even worse.
“How are you feeling about all this?” I ask her, trying to ignore my racing pulse.
“I only found out ten minutes ago. Nico just got here.” She faces him again. “Sorry—I mean, Charlie.”
He turns crimson. “You can still call me Nico, if you want. It’s fine.”
Vanessa sighs. “I think we need to open this bottle of wine.”
“Agreed,” her ex says.
“Please,” I beg.
Vanessa uncorks the bottle and pours out three glasses. She sits in the middle of the island, and Charlie and I pick chairs on opposite ends, as far away from each other as possible.
