Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“No! I mean, maybe I should have been—I can fight my own battles—but I appreciated that he wanted to stand up for me. I’ve talked about Niall and the ways he made me doubt myself, so Dash already had something against him.” I sighed. “He apologized for going off. He said the thought of someone treating me badly made him want to smash things.”
“Aww. It’s sort of cute, Dash behaving like a hotheaded caveman—only in that situation, of course.”
“I know. He was just trying to show me he’s in my corner. And he’s so beautiful and fun and sweet and sexy,” I moaned. “Why won’t he just let me love him until the end of time? Is that too much to ask?”
Veronica laughed. “I don’t think so. How did you guys leave it?”
“The same way we found it. We’re just friends.”
“Are you going to at least visit each other?”
“What’s the point, Roni?” I despaired all over again. “He offered to fly me out there, but then what? I just go running off to L.A. every couple months, if that? Pine away for him the rest of my life? His career is about to blow up, I just know it. He doesn’t need a hometown honey.”
“Maybe that’s exactly what he needs,” countered Veronica. “Someone who knew him when. Someone he can be himself with. Someone who will always be honest and real. He probably meets a lot of fake people or people who just want things from him. Being with you is probably such a relief for him.”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. His life and dreams are in one place, mine are in another, and for a little while they overlapped, but that’s all. I’m not harboring any delusions that we have a future.”
Veronica sighed. “It doesn’t seem right that you guys are so good together, but you won’t give it a chance.”
“It’s not about what’s right. It’s about what’s real,” I insisted. “Maybe in the movies, the Hollywood celebrity falls for the small-town diner waitress, but this is real life. My life. And it’s not happening. The sooner I accept it, the better.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“Not since Monday night. I asked him not to call me for a while. I told him I needed some time.” I closed my eyes. “I should be over him in a hundred years or so. Maybe more.”
“Oh, honey.” Veronica tipped her head onto my shoulder.
“I’m serious. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love him, and right now, I can’t imagine a time when I won’t. It’s like those years I spent trying to hate him were all for nothing. He’s just got this hold over me.” I picked up a cocktail napkin and dabbed at my eyes. “Every night, I lie in bed and dream that he comes back and says, ‘I was wrong. I can’t stay away from you. Let’s make this work.’ It’s so stupid! I’m sixteen all over again!”
“It’s not stupid. You love him.”
“I wish I didn’t.”
“You need something to take your mind off him. Something fun and exciting. Want to take a girls’ trip or something?”
“I can’t right now. Maybe after my dad is back on his feet.” Setting down the napkin, I took another sip of wine. “There is one thing that might excite me—although I can’t say it won’t remind me of him, since it was his idea.”
“What?”
“A Moe’s food truck. A little catering business that I’d run on my own with a menu I’d create. Something a little more me.” Just talking about it lifted my spirits.
Veronica gasped. “That’s a great idea!”
“Dash and I went to see one while he was home. Abelard Vineyards is selling their current truck, and his friend Gianni is the chef there. It’s not a bad deal, but it’s still crazy expensive.”
“Can you get a loan?”
“Maybe. I could try.”
“I’m sure a bank would approve you! With the Moe’s Diner name behind you, plus your training? And they’re so popular now! Who doesn’t love a food truck?”
“Uh, my parents?”
Her face fell. “Really?”
“They’re just so old-school. I mentioned it to my mom a couple weeks ago, and she didn’t really get it, or she pretended not to.” I shrugged. “But in her defense, she was really distracted by my dad’s health. She could tell something was off that day—we both could.”
“So maybe the timing was just wrong.” Veronica perked up. “Once your dad gets through this, can you try talking to them again? Maybe in the meantime, you do a little research on getting that loan.”
I nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
“I’m here if you need me, Ari. We all are.”
Later that night, I lay in bed, staring into the dark and trying not to think about the empty space next to me. I’d changed the sheets, hoping it might take the scent of him from the room, but I could still smell him. Still hear him calling me his good girl. Still feel the warmth of his skin against mine.