Page 72 of Before We're More Than Friends
An unfamiliar feeling pinched my heart. “I didn’t know that.”
She frowned. “It’s sad to see your friend go through such a hard time.”
But we barely even know each other.
“I just don’t like that it’s all over the media,” I said, not knowing what else to say. “My dad cared so much about his image, yet he still messed it up.” Shoot, I was saying too much. This was only my second time talking to Leanne.
Leanne nodded again. “Parents can really challenge you in the worst ways. I’ll never understand some of the decisions my parents made either.” Moonlight let out another deep meow, and she rubbed her forehead. “That’s why I care more for animals.” She sighed. “Sorry, I’m making this about me.”
“No, I’d much rather hear you talk.”
“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not.”
I laughed, despite the cloud of heaviness growing between us. “I’m not. I don’t feel like wrapping my head around what’s happened.”
“I understand.” Leanne gave me a small smile. “But if you ever need someone to talk to about it, I’m always here.”
“Thank you.” I smiled back and looked at Moonlight. “How has the job been going?”
“It’s been going well.” Leanne rubbed Moonlight’s belly.Moonlight reached a paw out at her. “I’ve gotten into the swing of things pretty quickly and already feel at home.” She bit her lip. “But sometimes I still wonder if I made the right choice, moving my family over here after living in Dallas our entire lives.”
“It must’ve been an important place to you if you named your son after it.”
She giggled. “It was my husband’s idea, I promise. I wanted to name him Alexander.”
A thought came to my mind as I thought about Alex, but I quickly killed it.Just a coincidence.Don’t give yourself something else to worry about when you know he lives somewhere else. “How did he win?”
“According to him, Alexander is too common of a name. He wanted something less common but still masculine, and since we were both born and raised in Dallas, he named our son that.” She shook her head. “As if he didn’t already give Kami a boy’s name. He even named the dog.”
I laughed. “Maybe you can name your next child.”
Leanne scoffed. “Please, no more children. Having two kids fourteen months apart was a nightmare and a half.”
“That’s why I’m not having any kids.” I looked at Moonlight again, whose eyes were fluttering shut. “Unless they are animals. In that case, I’m having a bunch of them.”
“That was my dream until we got our dog, and my husband nearly stroked out at all the damage he did as a puppy.” She sighed. “Something I like about this move was that I got to call the shots for once, you know?”
I nodded, thinking about the power imbalance in my house. Dad had always called the shots, though it wasn’t like Mom tried to do much about it. “I understand. But you’re a boss woman.” I pointed to the pink GIRL BOSS plaque on her desk. “You deserve this opportunity regardless of what others think.”
“Thank you.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry, you didn’t come here to listen to all my problems when you have ones of your own.”
“Please.” I waved a hand. “Like I said, I’d rather listen to you talk than remember everything wrong with my life.”
She grinned. “NowI know you’re not being sarcastic. But still, I’d rather talk about animals instead.”
CHAPTER 19
Dallas
How could I blow telling Raina the truth in Chemistry so badly?
The words had been on the tip of my tongue.I’m your pen pal, Alex. I made that bracelet for you. I completely ghosted you like a butthole because I didn’t know what to do about meeting you in real life. I didn’t know what to do about the complicated feelings I have for you. And I’m sorry I was a coward and didn’t tell you until now.
But Mrs. Bennett had clearly interruptedthat.
Why did I keep dragging out the inevitable? She wasn’t stupid and would put two and two together eventually. And she wouldn’t forgive me for it. If I were her, I wouldn’t.
So I was back to square one. Nice.
