Page 95 of Second Chance Wedding
“Quinley, he snuck out and planned to ride his bicycle there. He could’ve been killed.”
“Are you upset about that or about Cole? Because all I’m hearing is that you’re mad at Cole.”
She opened her mouth, but no words emerged.
“Look, Ana… Ben obviously didn’t feel he could ask you about his dad, and you have to give him credit for caring enough to not want to hurt you. This was his way of…getting what he needed while stupidly thinking you’d never know and therefore wouldn’t be hurt by it.”
“I can’t believe you’re taking up for Ben after all the times you said I was too easy on him. Not to mention that you’re taking up for Cole making a decision that wasn’t his to make.”
“Ben made the decision before he ever walked out the door that night. I mean, obviously Cole knew he could take Ben home. But Cole also had to know Ben would just sneak outagain.Which hewouldhave, because let’s be realistic here. Cole chose to mitigate the danger by driving him there and letting things play out.”
Ana slumped in her seat and held her wine glass like a lifeline. “You sound like my father now. He said practically the same thing.”
“Ana, you know I love you. But you’re a total control freak.”
“Meaning?”
“Some things you can’t control. You couldn’t handle Cole being in the military because it had to come first and you couldn’t control that life. And I get it. It’s not for everyone, and you did the right thing. But Cole’s reaction to you dumping him? That wasalsoout of your control. Just like your parents couldn’t controlyouandyourdecisions back then. People have the right to choose so long as they can…owntheir choices. End of story. Ben made a choice he felt was rightfor him, and Cole helped him by being there for Ben in his time of need. Shouldn’t that mean more than anything else?”
The truth of Quinley’s words hit like a bomb exploded, shattering through her senses like nothing she’d ever experienced. Maybe it wasn’t the first time she’d heard the words, but it was the first time she felt like they pierced her soul and meant something.
Shewastrying to control Ben and his decisions. Just like her parents had tried to control her.
She tried to spare Ben the pain of his decisions.
Just like her parents?
As much as it hurt her to think Ben neededanythingto do with his biological father, itwashis choice, and she’d made it even harder on him—and more dangerous—by not allowing him the freedom to express himself and voice the need to her for fear of hurting her.
As to Cole… She’d not only overreacted, but she’d pushed him away repeatedly because of the past instead of giving him that same choice: the freedom to do and react and decide for himself what he wanted. “I need to go.”
“We haven’t gotten our food yet,” Quinley said.
“I know. I’m sorry. I just— I need to talk to Cole and Ben and—fix this. Somehow. Will you be okay eating alone?”
Quinley lifted her wine glass and smirked. “You know I will be.”
Ana frowned and hesitated. “I can stay, Quinnie. We can talk, and you can tell me what’s really going on with you.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re acting different. Is it bridal jitters or something else? You can tell me.”
“It’s nerves—and those guys,” she said with a tilt of her head toward the guards. “I’m fine. I promise.”
Ana’s gaze shifted to the two men stationed close by. They tried to blend in but failed miserably. “Our lives are changing. Is it… Is it going to be weird for you? If Cole and I work things out? I mean, Cole’s a partner with his brothers in their businesses, but he’s also a limo driver while you and Rhys…will always be the passengers.” She and Quinley had been friends for nearly sixteen years, but her life was changing in major,billionaire-likeways.
Quinley held her glass in one hand and stretched the other across the table to squeeze Ana’s hand.
“Nothing is ever going to get between us. Ever. Now go get that gorgeous hunk of man before it’s too late and he wises up to the fact you’re more than a bit crazy.”
Ana laughed as she got up and wrapped her arms around Quinley. “I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“Thank you for always being you. I don’t know what I’d ever do without you.”
Quinley smiled. “Good thing you’re never going to find out.”
