Page 115 of Book Boyfriends
“Before we left, Rem told me that he likes Davis. Like, he really likes him.” Hope grins, her dimples popping.
“Rem and I share that feeling,” I say, turning onto the street where Four Corners Spiritual and Witchcraft Center is located.
“In fact, he mentioned he’s going to meet Davis for pickleball next Sunday.”
“I know.” My cheeks lift with a giant grin.
Not that I need either of my brothers’ approval, but it’s nice that they both like him. As much as the brotherly judgment frustrates me, contentment relaxes through me. Not to use aStar Warsreference, but all’s right in the force now. Even if I still have this pesky ‘fictional men come to life’ situation to deal with, things seem right.
Hope clears her throat. “Have you heard from Lena since you emailed?”
“Yeah,” I draw out the word.
“And?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Okay.”
“Okay?” She gestures wildly.
“That’s all she said.”
“You emailyourcousin—a woman that was like a sister to you untilshecheated withyourboyfriend, then scooped him up, and is now marrying the jerk—to tell her you’re not attending their weddingaweek before their nuptials and her response is… okay,” she says, her tone is high-pitched.
“Those are the facts,” I say, pulling into the parking lot.
“How are you so chill about this? Is this a delayed reaction, emotional bomb situation like the time Trent Ott broke up with you two days before senior prom?”
“I really have had the worst dating history.” Lip pursed, I shake my head. “No, this isn’t like that. I’mreallyokay with it.”
The truth is, I am. This isn’t a brave front. Even Lena’s name in my inbox didn’t trigger dread. Pulling up her message, I just shrugged. Perhaps the reason I didn’t rush to tell Hope is that it doesn’t matter anymore.
“You don’t think she owes you more? I mean, at least, an ‘I totally understand and I’m the scum of the earth and beg your forgiveness’ in her email would be nice.” Hope’s face puckers into an annoyed pout.
Laughter vibrates in my chest. Hope is the queen of sweet, but she also goes scorched earth for the people she loves. After the invites came, she refused to attend with Rem until I told her I was going. She said yes, but bought a white dress tostick it to that B-word, as she cooed with a devious curl of her mouth at the boutique where we bought our dresses for the wedding. It’s something I adore about my bestie. She loves fiercely, which is why my brother’s heart and all future Lane offspring are in good hands.
“I love you.” Smiling, I park and then turn off the car and lean back in the seat.
“Love you, too.” She reaches over and takes my hand. “Are you sure you’re okay with her response?”
“There was a time I wanted her to show contrition or beg for forgiveness or… I don’t know…” I sigh. “But all I felt when her response came was nothing, and I think that means that I’m finally past all this. My choice not to go to the wedding is truly about me and not about getting revenge. The fact that I had no expectations of any sort of response and am indifferent to the one I got is a good thing. They hurt me, but I’m not hurt anymore.”
“Wow, Davis must have some powerful peen.”
A chortle erupts out of me. “This isn’t about getting dicked down. As much as I’m enjoying Davis and whatever this will turn into, this isn’t about him. It’s about me finally getting myself unstuck from everything that held me back.”
The hurt. The expectations. The disappointment. Each emotion had been a shackle holding me back from moving forward over the last five years.
“For the first time in, probably forever, I’m free to just live my life.”
“I’m so proud of you.” She squeezes my hand. “But I’m still wearing that white satin dress with the crown on Saturday.”
“Scorched earth,” I chuckle.
We hop out and head toward Four Corners. The idea of a witchcraft consultant conjures images of a spooky Victorian mansion with a black cat on the front porch, not a storefront in a commercial strip mall. Four Corners Spiritual Healing and Witchcraft Center is between a frozen yogurt shop and a tuxedo rental place.
“Oh, fro-yo.” Hope points to the Yu-Go Gurl Yogurt Shoppe sign next to Four Corners. “Do you think they have sugar-free vanilla?”
“After.” I laugh, redirecting her to Four Corners’ front door.
