Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Stop,” I say, a sob breaking free from my chest.
“I’m not saying this to hurt you, Ellison. I saw the look in his eyes tonight. It’s the same way he looked at you all those years ago. You were still the only woman in that bar, as far as that man was concerned. I don’t know what happened back then. I don’t know why he left the way that he did. What I do know is that the two of you are adults, and you need to sit down and have an adult conversation about the past. Will it lead to a future you’ve always dreamed of? I hope so. If not, maybe you can get the closure you need to finally move on from him.”
“That’s like asking me to slice open an artery.”
“Good. That’s what needs to happen. Slice it open, and let it bleed, Ellie. You need this, and from the way he acted tonight, Copeland needs it, too. I’m your best friend. I want to see you happy, and I want you to have the life you’ve always dreamed of. I hate seeing you this way.”
“I was fine until he came back,” I mutter.
“Were you? Were you really fine? You were still alone. Still grieving a loss that you don’t understand. Besides, I have a theory.”
“This should be good,” I say, feeling a little calmer and tucking my feet beneath me on the couch. “Let’s hear it.”
“I’ve told you this before, so it’s not new information, and after tonight, I believe it with every fiber of my being. I think you and Copeland are soulmates. I think there’s that one person for each of us, and he was your person.”
“So, you’re saying second chances at love don’t exist.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You said there’s one person for everyone,” I challenge.
“Fine, there could be more than one, but in this case, I don’t think there is. Sure, I know that death happens, and even divorce, and the one left behind can fall in love again, but maybe, just maybe, the person they lost was a great love, but not their soulmate.”
“Now, you’re just spinning tales.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I know what I saw. There’s something there. You owe it to yourself to break open the wound and find out.”
“What if I wasn’t enough?” I whisper.
“Not possible. That man worshiped you, and I bet my savings account that, given the chance, he would again. Only this time, I’m certain he’ll never let you go.”
“Stop. Just stop. You’re putting ideas in my head.” She’s putting hope into my foolish heart that only has romantic space for Copeland James.
“Prove me wrong.” I see the dare in her eyes. “Prove me wrong, and I’ll never say another word.”
I bite down on my bottom lip. She’s right. Copeland and I need to talk, but the insecurity and the fear I’ve been harboring all these years are running rampant inside me. Not just my head, but my heart. What if he did leave because he realized I wasn’t enough? Can I handle that truth?
“And”—Kinzie smirks—“if I’m right, I get to be maid of honor at your wedding. Besides, it’s a win-win. You don’t have to choose one of your sisters and pit them against one another.”
“We’ve already decided that,” I tell her. “We wouldn’t be able to pick, so we said our very best friend, and then three sisters at each of our weddings.”
“See, there you go. Now, all you have to do is pull up your big-girl panties and talk to him.”
“I’m not making any promises.”
“Well, then I’d better write alternate versions of tonight’s speech.”
I can’t help it, I laugh. “I love you, bestie.”
“I love you, too.”
Ten
Copeland
* * *
“Fuck!” I slap my fist against the steering wheel. That’s not how I anticipated tonight turning out. Seeing his hands on her, watching her shy away from him, I had to step in. I had to. There was no way I was going to stand there and watch.
I’m sure Bowen’s pissed, but fuck it. Ellison is more important. Fuck… to have my hands on her, to feel her hot breath mingle with mine, it was like finally coming home. I’ve been in this town for weeks, but it’s not until tonight that I actually feel like it’s home. All because of her.
Because of Ellison.
When I reach Mom’s place, the quilting ladies’ cars are still in the driveway. I’m in no mood to make pleasant small talk right now. All I want to do is wallow in the pain, in the fact that I miss her. I really fucking miss her. I knew I did, but having her in my arms like that, nothing has ever affected me more.
Instead, I keep on driving past. My eyes turn to Magnolia Estates. I can’t see the house that she lives in from the road, but I know it’s there. Is she there? Did she go home, or is she still out with her best friend? I hate that I don’t know the answer.