Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 96512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
This is exactly why I didn’t want to date after Riley’s dad and I broke up. I didn’t want another man in her life to let her down. One is plenty. My heart breaks for her, and I hope against hope that she doesn’t learn to love men who let her down and leave her. I don’t want her to have to go through this any more than once. With her dad.
In that moment, I’m grateful Fisher left when he did. I’m pleased there’s no hope that he’s ever coming back. That way, he can’t hurt Riley. He can’t hurt me.
THIRTY-THREE
Fisher
I used to spend a lot of time in the Met, but as I take the steps from the exit, I realize it’s been years since I’ve visited. And after my tour today, I wonder why.
The three days since I’ve landed back in New York have been miserable. I’ve become an expert at putting on a happy face, but all I think about is Juniper. I hoped the Met might help somehow. I thought that maybe I’d feel closer to her. But all I thought about as I made my way around is how I wished she and Riley were here. How we could have had brunch and then spent the entire afternoon wandering around. Juniper would be able to tell me about the works. I’d see her light up in the way that she does when she’s around art or talking about art.
But she’s not here. Neither is Riley.
I hail a cab and the knot in my stomach intensifies. A New York cab has always brought me a weird sense of freedom. When I first arrived in the city, I took a cab up Broadway and I felt like I was finally home after feeling out of place during my college years—probably because my mom and dad’s divorce threw me for such a loop, I didn’t know which way was up. But today, it’s just me and this huge city that has been home for so many years… and for the first time ever, I feel like I don’t belong here.
Thankfully, I’m meeting Bennett, Worth, and Jack tonight. They’ll help me take my mind off things. I always belong with them.
My phone buzzes. It’s a message from Jack.
Change of plans. We’re going to my club. See you there.
I tell the driver of the change in destination. We’re only a few blocks away. The sooner I get there, the better. I’m clinging to the hope that when I see my friends, I’ll start to feel better. I’ll start to heal.
Jack’s club is like something out of the start of the twentieth century. It’s all tall columns and gold leaf. I’ve been to a lot of private members clubs all over Manhattan. The artists I work for have belonged to every single one in the city. Except for Jack’s. You don’t get into this place without lineage and old money. Both things Jack has in spades.
I climb the steps, give my name at the reception desk, and I’m shown to one of the lounges. Jack and Bennett are already there.
They stand and we hug. It feels like forever since I’ve seen them. I know it’s only been a few weeks since I’ve seen Jack, but so much has happened since it feels like a lifetime.
“You look like shit,” Bennett says.
I force a grin. “Thanks, mate.”
“I mean it. Are you sleeping?”
“Why wouldn’t I be sleeping?” I ask, glancing over at the bar. In seconds, someone is taking my drinks order. Thank god. I need a beer—something to take the edge off.
I glance back at my friends and they’re both staring at me, concern in their expressions.
“We know you really enjoyed your time in Star Falls,” Bennett says.
“Right,” I reply. “But it was always temporary and now I’m back home.”
An unfamiliar silence passes between us.
“How’s Juniper?” Jack asks.
“No idea,” I say, as if the words don’t cut into me like the sharpest of blades.
“You can talk to us,” Jack says. “We’re here for you.”
Thankfully, Worth arrives, taking the attention from me. But my reprieve doesn’t last long.
“How are you?” he asks, slapping me on the back. “Missing Juniper?”
“Guys, you’re acting like I just lost my dog or something. I’m fine.” I take a deep breath. I’m talking bullshit. These guys are my best friends in the world. Why am I putting on a brave face with them? They’re here to support me. To listen to me. To help. “I’m going to be fine. I’m just… I didn’t expect to… Juniper was special, and it’s going to take me a minute to adjust.”
“Did you and Juniper ever talk about maybe continuing things long distance?” Bennett asks.
“No point. Her entire life is in Star Falls. Her kid. Her family. Her job. And my life is here. It’s not like we could ever be… anything.” I blow out a breath and take a swig of my beer. The logical response that I’ve had in my arsenal for all these weeks sounds less and less convincing. Not because our circumstances have changed. But because of who she became to me. They say love conquers all. But whoever said that is a bullshitter.