Page 128 of It Couldn't Be You
“Your brother has been the one for a long time, Katie. It’s terrified me, annoyed me, confounded me, and thrilled me, but at the end of the day, I think it’s so strong because what we have is so good. That’s kind of the gist of how I feel.”
Katie giggled in surprise. “Gah, who knew how dramatic you could be about a guy. You’ve always been Miss Sensible. I feel like I should steal some of that for my vows.”
I gave her a shove.
“And he feels the same?”
“You could probably ask him all about it. But from what he’s told me, yes. It’s equally undeniable.” I thought of the things he had said less than an hour ago. My stomach so full of butterflies I felt like I might float up into the sky.
“What’s he said to you? Like, do you have any quotes?”
I started laughing. “Katie, oh my gosh.”
“What? I’m curious now.” She shrugged.
“What do you feel about it? I have to know. I’ve been worried about your reaction for years,” I said, my gaze intent on her.
“It upsets me that you never said a word about it to me. I get that you were scared and confused, but really, after Cambria, with us being grown adults now, I’d have thought you would open up to me about it. That upsets me,” she said honestly. She looked at me and then cocked her head to the side. “But the two of you being in love? Being together? I think that actually makes a lot of sense. Some things are finally clicking.”
I nodded. “I wish I’d told you.” It felt like I’d just taken a breath after holding it in for so long, the relief radiated all the way to my toes.
“You twojust nowdecided to give it a try.You turtles.” Her voice was soft, accepting.
“I was hesitant, surprise, surprise. Hesitant since we kissed on my twenty-first birthday.”
“What’s been going on in that head of yours?”
“Way too many things. It probably would’ve really helped to talk to you about it all this time.” I said. A warm breeze rippled through the trees, our hair. “You know how your brother is just so brave and go-go-go? I think that intimidated me. I know that with him, he wouldn’t let me sit it out. He wouldn’t let me cling to the past—”
“He’s always seen right through to the real you. Since you were in school. He’s always been reminding you what you want.”
“Always calling me on all my crap.”
“And vice versa,” she noted, tossing me a sideways grin.
“It felt like I was not only facing my feelings for him, but I was also facing the version of me that wanted to be with him. That version of me wanted a lot of things that scared me. That version of me called up Terrence. That version of me is the woman who went to New York.”
“That version of you is you.” She said so sincerely it made my heart tug.
“I know. It’s me with the training wheels off.”
Katie grabbed my hand. “I love you no matter the wheels.”
“Iknow that. I think I know it too well. Our friendship has always been one of my favorite hiding spots from the rest of the world.” The sun was hanging low in the sky now. I wondered how long we were allowed to hang out at this house Katie had decided not to buy.
“You think?”
“Back when we were about to head off for college, Gabe had to confront me about copying your major just because following you around college felt like such a safe choice.” I shook my head at my younger self.
“Oh yeah.” She crinkled her nose. “I forgot about that.”
“I followed you back home after college instead of following Gabe as badly as he wanted me to.”
“I’ve liked our time together here.” She grabbed my hand.
“I’ve used us as an excuse not to go after Gabe when I think I knew deep down that this,” I squeezed her hand, “would be your reaction.”
“Should I call you on your crap more?” She joked.
