Page 74 of The Kissing Part
“Better get a backup bottle too,” Olivia says, setting napkins and glasses on each place setting. “There are four of us.”
“Okay, but we can’t start with the backup bottle,” Harper says. “Mackenzie got it from the sale section.”
Mackenzie takes a seat adjacent to me. “Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean it’s not good.”
Harper joins us and pours me a generous glass. “It had dust on the bottle. That means nobody wanted it.”
“Wine gets better with age,” Mackenzie says.
Harper holds the sauvignon blanc bottle above Mackenzie’s glass without pouring. “Does that mean you’d prefer the sale stuff?”
Mackenzie points to her glass, looking contrite.
Harper pours. “Thought so.”
After we all have our wine, Harper lifts her glass in a toast. “To kickass women.”
I stare at my glass. “I don’t feel very kickass at the moment, more like devastated, hurt, angry, and sad. So sad.”
The women stare at me.
“We can’t drink until we all toast,” Harper says.
I lift my glass and clink glasses with everyone.
“So what’d my brother do?” Harper asks me.
I straighten, happy she’s taking my side. “He got mad at me and kicked me out. And I quote, ‘Pack your bags.’”
“So sorry,” Mackenzie says, rubbing my arm.
Olivia nods and sips her wine.
“Any reason you’d like to share?” Harper asks.
I launch into the whole story, starting with my great new project that I couldn’t tell him about until it was official, the end of the Vancouver job, my offer of a paid three-month trip, and the fact that Owen hasn’t forgiven me for the past.
“I guess I have to take some responsibility,” I say. “I should’ve just told him how much I love him and want a future with him, but I was afraid to scare him off. And the truth is, I wanted him to be with me no matter what. I never should’ve made it about a job for both of us, right? I should’ve just said, Owen, I love you and want us to be together whether it’s in Clover Park, Vancouver, or LA. Home is with you.”
Silence.
“Right?”
“Well…” Harper says.
“Are you sure he felt the same way?” Mackenzie asks gently.
“I thought so.” I hesitate. “It felt that way. Do you think I was imagining it?”
“No, he was into you,” Olivia says with a note of authority. “That much is clear. Uproot-his-life level of into you, that I’m not sure about.”
“Your mom made it work with your dad,” I say to Harper. “She made me think anything was possible.”
Harper considers that. “Mom always discussed projects with Dad before it was official. It was just understood they were in this together, and it had to work with both of their schedules.”
“But my agent said—”
Harper cuts me off. “Is your agent the guy you want a future with?”
