Page 103 of Caught in the Axe
“I get it, I really do.” Willa sighed. “Those Hebert boys are fine specimens. I dig what he’s got going on. Polished enough to look like he’s super in control, but then you’ve got the beard and the rolled-up sleeves, which make it clear he’s all business about making you come, too.”
All the air whooshed from my lungs. “Willa!”
She shrugged and brought her wine to her lips. “I’m just calling it like I see it,” she said over the rim.
“I bet business daddy is great with his tongue,” Magnolia said, nudging Willa. “Now start talking, Lila.” She pinned me with a look. “Or else I’ll go ask him myself.”
Sadly, she was not bluffing.
Whimpering, I dropped my head into my hands. Then, with a sigh, I spilled. “We went to Boston for work. And things heated up. We said it was a one-time thing.”
“Only one time?”
“One-weekend thing,” I corrected. “And I tried so hard, you guys. I tried to stay away. But he kept being really sweet and sexy and vulnerable.”
“And?” They were both staring at me, eyes wide and mouths agape.
“And so we’ve been sneaking around. He may have built me an outdoor movie theater where we watchedSay Anything.”
“So Cusack is involved?” Mags asked. “This is serious.”
I hung my head. “I’m fucked. Someone is going to find out, and it’s all a mess, and I really like him.”
“Hey.” Willa rubbed soothing circles on my back. “Slow down.”
Reluctantly, I looked up, fully spiraling now.
“You don’t have to justify anything to us,” Magnoliaassured me. “We’re your best friends. And given that we both have functional eyes, we can see what you’ve been up against.”
“And that’s so great that you like him!” Ugh, Willa was such a romantic sometimes.
“No it’s not.” I dropped my head back and groaned. “We crossed the line in Boston, and it was supposed to stop there. Like a hall pass. But I can’t stay away from him. And it’s not just a sex thing. I adore him. He’s sweet and protective and incredibly supportive of my dreams.”
I was being torn in two. Part of me was angry that I couldn’t draw and maintain a boundary when it came to him. But when was the last time I’d been impulsive? When had I last done exactly what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it? I’d lived my life pleasing others. For once, I’d gone after what I wanted, and it was incredible.
Willa frowned and swirled her wine. “So why is this a problem?”
“Because she’s still hung up on Cole,” Magnolia said, shooting me a look of pity.
“No,” I practically shouted, almost knocking over my wineglass in my haste to object. “Not at all. Just because I won’t publicly date his brother doesn’t mean I’m still in love with him. I just want to get out of Lovewell unscathed. Build my life in New York. Can you imagine what people would say if they found out about Owen and me?”
“They’re going to talk regardless.” Magnolia shrugged, as if it was no big deal. “At least give them something juicy.”
“That’s not helpful.” This from Willa. Thank God one of them had a little sense. She’d been through the wringer with this town too. “Sure, people here might think you’resome devil woman who dumped the sweet, handsome hockey star when he got seriously injured.”
Oh God, it sounded even worse when she said it out loud.
“But we know he spent years driving you away with his narcissistic behavior and non-stop partying. We know that he was distant and unresponsive and treated you like a maid most of the time.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. God, why did I stay so long with someone who was so wrong for me? My friends thought I was this strong, independent woman, but that was such a lie.
“Stop that,” Magnolia snapped. “Self-doubt gives you wrinkles. You’ve done nothing wrong here. Enjoy your fling with the hot, kind man.”
“I’m going to NYU.”
“Exactly.” She nodded once. “Make the most out of your time here. Plus, sneaking around is hot.”
“I’m obviously terrible at it if you guys could tell we were fucking the second he walked in.”
