Page 53 of Acting Merry
It’s not convincing, and she knows it.
“Iwantedto mean it. It felt petty to deny her a chance at love.”
“Look, Reese. I understand you wanna keep the peace, but you deserve to be heard. I wish I had the chance to tell my mom what it did to me and my dad and my sister when she left. How I can’t even go on three dates because I’m scared to be left again and feel like I did. Or that I had to sell the house I built because it was making me want to start a family. It’s not about wanting Megan to feel bad. Right nowbothof you probably feel bad, and the only way to fix that is with honesty.”
There’s silence for a few seconds.
“But what if it ruins our friendship?” Reese asks quietly. “What if it can’t withstand the truth?”
I take in a big breath. “Then maybe the friendship has run its course. But that’s not your fault. Strong relationships don’t just withstand the truth. They require it.”
Her fingers start to trace again, more slow and thoughtful this time. “You’re probably right.”
“Of course I am,” I say, letting her hair tickle my smiling lips.
The tracing on my chest gets less defined, and a few minutes later, her breathing deepens.
I stare at the ceiling.
I’m a complete hypocrite. I’m preaching to Reese about speaking the truth when I’m keeping the biggest secret of all.
I’m in love with her.
twelve
Reese
I don’t knowthat I’ve ever slept without a blanket on—definitely not on purpose, and definitely not without waking to pull it over me in the middle of the night—but one of the first things I realize when I stir in the morning is that my legs are uncovered.
I blink my eyes open, then go still.
Cole’s face is two inches from mine, his dark lashes resting against the top of his cheeks.
I slowly lower my gaze and note his arm draped lazily across my side. Mine mirrors it on hisside. The blanket is in a rumpled heap at the bottom of the bed, just below our tangle of legs.
Memories of last night flood my psyche. I wanted Cole to open up to me so badly on the deck.
But he wasn’t ready.
Or so I thought.
My heart twinges, and I study his sleeping face, thinking of the little boy who woke up one day without a mom.
It’s all I can do not to wrap my arms around him and kiss every accessible part of his face.
Being with him at the cabin has proven he’s fun and charming. A heartbreaker, even.
Last night was the first time I realized he’s also heartbroken.
If I thought I was falling for him before, it’s nothing compared to what I feel now.
Fake might’ve been the starting mark, but I’ve been driving on Real Road for miles now, and after that kiss yesterday, I’m pretty sure Cole’s in the car with me.
He stirs, and my heart flaps and flutters like a fledgling sparrow. What will he think when he realizes where he is and who he’s with?
Today marks a milestone in our strange journey together. We’ve officially passed the two-date mark. Even the loosest interpretation of his policy wouldn’t allow for more than two days and nights together.
His lashes bat softly, then slowly reveal his blue eyes as I watch with bated breath.
