Page 43 of The Fire Walker
“Bullshit,” Zoe cursed, making me jump. “Sometimes, you have to break your own rules to get your happyending.”
“I can’t. I’ve screwed things up,anyway.”
“Yes, you have. But why do you think I’mhere?”
I shook my head. “Whyareyou here? I assume you want to beat my ass, and quite frankly, I don’t blameyou.”
Zoe laughed, leaning back in her chair. “I’m not gonna beat you up, Jessie. I’m Dee’s best friend. I know him like the back of my own hand. He would do anything for me, and I would do anything for him. He has some kind of feelings for you, enough to put himself through the wringer over, and by the look on your face, I think you can feel that tingling,too.”
“I can’t…” I began, glancing around the cafe uneasily, anywhere but into Zoe’s eyes. “It’s too late. Hewouldn’t—”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think you would have achance.”
“It’s not that simple. I can’t leave.” Anotherexcuse.
She let out a sharp sigh. “Four years ago, my now ex-boyfriend pushed me down a flight of stairs, left me in agony, and turned all my friends against me. I know all about running and not trusting. I wouldn’t be who I am now without Dee’s help, and I certainly wouldn’t be with Will. So, yeah, I know exactly what you’re going through. The first time Will kissed me, I ran away because I was so fucking terrified I would breakagain.”
I stared at her, and I couldn’t picture her like that at all. “Why are you telling methis?”
“Because I can see it written all over your face. I don’t know what you’re running from, Jessie, but you’re running in the wrongdirection.”
I crossed my arms over my stomach, squirming in my seat. How the hell did she know? Was I that much of an openbook?
“Takes one to know one,” she declared, picking up on myfeelings.
“Where is he? Is he here?” I swallowed hard. I didn’t know what I would do if he walked through that door now. He probably hated me.Ihatedme.
“No. He’s on some crazy road trip in the middle of God knows where.” She rolled her eyes like it was messing with her, too. “Look, he’ll never come find you. He’s not like that. Dee’s had his fair share of ups and downs with women, but he’s never had his heart broken before. He’s taking it pretty hard. He’slost.”
I flinched, looking at the tabletop. When I left, I didn’t think it would turn out like this. I thought I was saving him from heartache, not giving it to him. “I didn’t mean…I…”
“I get it,” Zoesaid.
“Do you really think I have a chance at fixingthis?”
She smiled, glancing over to where her boyfriend, Will, was sitting drinking a coffee by the front window. “We were in Houston,” she said. “The only reason we’re here is because of you. If that doesn’t tell you anything, then I don’t know what else I cansay.”
“Oh.” They really flew all that way to convince me to try to win Deeback?
“Now, what are you gonna do? If you want him, I can help you track him down, but after that, you’re on yourown.”
The last time I made such a spontaneous decision, it landed me in hot water so deep I’d almost drowned. If I could win back Dee, then maybe he could save me. Maybe I could save him. Maybe I could just make things rightagain.
“Okay,” I said before I could pull my classic move, the one that saw merunning.
“Good.”
“I need a day. I need to sort out work and…” My voice shook so much I was sure I was about to burst into tears at any moment. What if…No time for whatifs.
“It’ll be fine, Jessie. I’m not saying it won’t be hard because it will be. He’ll make it hard because he’s a stubborn ass, but if this thing is real between you, then you have tobelieve.”
I looked at her for a moment, and suddenly, she didn’t seem so scary. “You know, the thing you have with Dee is kind ofintimidating.”
She smiled, knowing that she’d worn me down. “I know. He would kill me with his bare hands if he knew I washere.”
I dropped my head into my palms. “I don’t know how I let myself get to thispoint.”
“Fear.”
I stared up at her and bit my lip. She got it. I didn’t know her whole story, but Zoe got it. I just hoped she was right about this because it meant my whole life needed to be cut up and put backtogether.
I didn’t know who the hell I was going to be after the glue wenton.
That bit would be up toDee.
