Page 56 of The Vow We Made
I push my chair back. “Thanks Steph.”
She snorts, looking up at me. “For what? Confusing you even more?”
“For listening.” I smile while squeezing her shoulder.
As Will and I reach the front door, he brings me in for a supportive hug. “You alright bruv?”
“Not really mate.” I sigh. “So if you fancy grabbing a beer later—”
“Sounds good.” He slaps his hand to my back. “You’ll get it sorted bruv, I know you will.”
“Thanks, I hope so.”
My head is all over the place when I leave and I have the worst sense of dread. I’m not entirely comfortable with Steph’s advice but I have to at least consider it because at the end of the day, I don’t want to fuck this up.
VICTORIA
“It’s alright for some.” Bronte smiles. “Legs up, daytime telly on and your mum running around like a blue arsed fly.”
“I’d rather be on my feet,” I grumble. “And as much as I love being waited on hand and foot, I’d prefer to be out and about.”
“Oh I don’t know. Having a hot doctor at your beck and call must be fun too.”
“Yeah, that was good while it lasted.” I say, giving her a sideways glance.
“What do you mean? I thought he was here all the time.” Bronte scowls.
“He was, initially, but in the past week, he’s gone from hero to zero. He’s called and we’ve exchanged a few texts but that’s it. No visits.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound so good.” She tips her head, raising her brows.
“I know.” I say chewing the corner of my bottom lip. “Do you think he wanted to call it off but felt obliged to check on me?” Swallowing hard, the thought of Aiden visiting out of pity rather than want sticks in my throat.
“Stop that.” Bronte says abruptly.
“Stop what? Facing the truth?”
“Covering your face when you talk. Stop it.”
“I don’t.”
“Yes you do.” She huffs. “Whenever you’re worried or anxious, you cover your face. If you’re bothered about those tiny little lines, don’t be. You can hardly see them.”
I shrug my shoulders “I wasn’t—”
“Yes you were. You don’t even realise you’re doing it.” She sits forward. “Listen to me. Those lines do not define the person you are. You’re young, completely gorgeous and once the plaster is off your leg, you’ll be ready to mingle again. This is a minor set-back.”
“I guess so.” I half smile.
“And as for Aiden, he’s a busy man Vickie. You know that.”
“Maybe—”
“Even if you two weren’t meant to be, put it down to a good experience. You’ve dipped your toes in the water after such a long dry spell, the next time you date, it will be easier.” She reaches over and pats my elevated leg. “As soon as the cast comes off, you’ll be on fire.”
“Yeah, I suppose. Except…”
“What? Haveyougone offhim?”
