Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
ROMILLY
Zara’s knees bounce as I drive. She’s getting more and more impatient by the minute, knowing I’m withholding information from her that she’s only moments from discovering.
“I still don’t see why you can’t just tell me first,” she says.
“Addison is my best friend.”
“I’m your sister. ”
“True.” I laugh. “But that’s why it’s only fair I tell you both at the same time. I’d never hear the end of it from either of you, otherwise.”
That seems to placate her. She shifts her priorities from bouncing her knees to cracking her knuckles.
Addison’s three-story house comes into view as I pull into the driveway.
It really is an immaculate place. And now that it’s officially October, the dark wood and gray stone exterior looks even more cool and moody among the tall pines and vibrant, autumn leaves surrounding it.
I still remember the first time I visited Addison here, when she started nannying for Perry before they got together.
I took one look at her flushed cheeks that day and watched her stumble over her words when she talked about Perry and knew she was a goner.
When she answers the door, she beams at me and Zara like she didn’t know we were coming. A dimple pops in her cheek as she motions us to come in. “Marina just went down for a nap, and the kids are still at school, so I’m currently a free woman.”
“We’d better make the most of your time then.” I flash a grin. “But I have to admit, I’m disappointed I don’t get to see all your little munchkins today.”
“Sorry.” She sets a plate of freshly-baked cookies in front of us and picks up a steaming kettle to pour me and Zara a mug of tea. Handing one to me, she sighs. “It’s always weird when I have time to myself now.”
I take the tea from her and have a small sip, settling onto a stool at the kitchen island.
Zara glances around us. “Where’s Perry?”
“He’s doing a restaurant visit, so it’s just the three of us.” She smiles, lifting her own mug in the air. “What’s new with you two?”
I bite my lip. “Um…well?—”
“Romilly has a secret, and she refuses to tell either of us first so she brought me here so she could tell us at the exact same time.” Zara barely breathes as she spouts the sentence.
“I don’t have a secret . I need advice.”
Addison’s mouth falls open. “Did something happen with Bash? Spill!”
“We…may or may not have gone on a date last week.” I launch into the story of our time at the farm while Addison and Zara listen.
My sister gets a dreamy, faraway look in her eyes.
Addison’s lips set in a soft smile, and she even twirls a thick curly strand of hair around her finger. When I’m done, they’re both speechless.
Addison finally breaks the silence. “I can’t believe you kissed him. Are you two officially together now?”
“It was just a peck. And of course not. He asked me on another date, but I had to say no.”
Zara gasps. “What? You said no?”
I nod.
She sighs. “I need to see a picture of this guy. I’m a much better judge of character than you are.”
Addison giggles. “A picture isn’t going to do him justice. Trust me.”
But I show them both the photo we took in the corn maze.
It’s definitely not my first time gazing at it since it was taken, but my heart still reacts to seeing Bash’s handsome face.
His deep blue eyes stare into the camera with the same intensity as real life.
The way we’re leaning toward each other in the photo makes me blush.
I can’t seem to meet Addison’s or Zara’s gazes when they glance up at me.
“I think I forgot how to speak,” says Zara.
Addison bites her lip. “I was wrong. This pic totally does him justice.”
My sister nods. “It’s giving refined, crazy-boy. Old money with a dark side.”
“Okay. Putting the phone away now.” I shut off the screen and slide my phone into the tiny black bag on my shoulder. I can’t deny how hard I’m blushing, especially now that they’re studying me so obviously.
Zara frowns. “Wow. Look at you. You really like him, don’t you?”
I cover my face with my hands. “I don’t know. I’m still processing the fact that we work together, and I went on that date with him. And kissed him.”
“I mean…” Addison shrugs. “I worked for Perry when I met him, and things turned out pretty amazing. Just saying.”
I bite my lip as her words sink in. “I know, and that’s the problem.
I…I do like him, but I’m trying so hard not to.
Dating Cole last year felt so safe. I thought for sure he was the kind of guy I could rely on not to do anything shady, and he turned out to be the biggest red flag I’ve ever met.
It bothers me how off my radar was about him.
” I’m filled with turmoil at the mere memory, but I continue.
“And dating Bash would feel so much more risky. He’s an MMA fighter who isn’t even in Meadow Hills long-term.
He’s going to leave eventually, and I’m staying here.
So I’m a thousand times more nervous about him than I was with Cole.
I know it’s not fair of me to compare them, but it feels like getting burned last year left a permanent mark on me or something. One I don’t know how to erase.”
They both listen to me in silence, and eventually, Addison reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I get it. Trust me.”
“Yeah,” says Zara. “But, sis…you can’t blame every guy for the mistakes of one. Cole was the bottom of the barrel. And it was nothing you did wrong. You’re literally amazing.”
“She’s right,” says Addison. “And I’ve thought a lot about what happened to you and Cole, you know.
Just because he was able to up and leave you after a year doesn’t mean Bash would.
But first, you’d have to give him a chance if you ever want to find out.
Who knows? He might even decide to stay in Meadow Hills. ”
Even though she says it so nonchalantly, the words pierce straight through me because it’s what I’m secretly hoping for deep down.
But what if my feelings for him get stronger and he doesn’t stay?
The thought just makes me want to protect my heart from getting shattered a second time. I shake my head. “I’m doing fine alone. I don’t need anyone else, so I don’t know why I’m suddenly so worried about getting left again. What’s wrong with me?”
Addison bites her lip. “Maybe because until Cole, you’ve never really had a taste of that kind of heartbreak. You’ve won practically every pageant you’ve entered. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like you. You succeed at everything you do, Rom.”
“But not Cole,” I say.
Addison nods. “Not Cole. He was, like, your first taste of rejection, ever.”
Zara laughs. “Welcome to the real world. We have cookies, at least.” She takes a bite of the one she’s holding and washes it down with her tea.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t deny they’re right. “So you’re both saying I just need to get over it?”
“Come on. Remember what Mom and Dad taught us. You need to have more faith, sis. Ask God to show you what He wants for you, and then trust Him,” says Zara.
Addison nods. “Yep. I know it’s hard to move past trust issues, and all it takes is one loser to burn that hole in your heart. But you can do it with God on your side.”
They’re so right.
I’m sorry, Lord. Where has my faith been? I do trust you.
What Cole did really affected me, but they’re right. It’s time to move past it. I’m just grateful I have Addison and Zara to remind me to have faith when I start to doubt instead. I should probably call my parents to hear their thoughts too, now that they’re back from their trip.
I used to be the one handing advice out to everyone, like meals at the soup kitchen. Now, I’m eating up every crumb of wisdom they have to spill for me.
I just hope I can find a way to make a trail from each little crumb to return to when I inevitably get lost again.
There’s breakfast waiting for me at work the next morning.
The scent of pumpkin spice lattes and warm muffins wraps around me like a hug as soon as I walk in.
I eye the stack of muffins, set of thermoses, and cup of to-go coffee on the front desk with suspicion.
Since our date, Bash has been extra attentive to how many meal breaks I have or haven’t been taking. “What’s all this?”
“Breakfast. Did you know you’ve barely eaten all week? I’ve had enough.” He picks up a muffin and hands it to me. “Here.”
I stifle a laugh. “You’re not responsible for feeding me, you know.”
“I am when I see you take no breaks every day to nourish your body. I get that you’re overbooking yourself to help your rating, but you still need to eat.
” Before I can respond, he grabs one of the thermoses, pressing it firmly into my hands.
The metal container feels warm against my palms. “Protein. You need this, too.”
I twist open the lid to the stainless steel container and find freshly scrambled eggs inside. Steam curls up, carrying a buttery aroma that makes my stomach growl. “Did Ingrid make these for me?”
“No. I did.” He grins proudly.
My mouth falls open. “You scrambled?”
“I scrambled.” He hands me a plastic fork. “Now eat. Every last bite, alright, pumpkin?”
I moan around a mouthful of the eggs, the richness melting on my tongue. The taste is a perfect balance of salt and cream. It’s like comfort itself. “Bash…these are really good. I can’t believe you made them.”
“I’m a man of many talents.” He taps my nose before he heads to the back to start working on the first and only dog waiting so far.
As I watch him walk away, the image of his broad back burns into my mind.
A smile tugs at my lips as I finish eating everything he brought—the eggs, the muffins, and the pumpkin spice latte.
Heat spreads through me that has nothing to do with the food.
I can’t deny how nice it is to start the day with a full stomach for once. I usually don’t have time for all this.
See Romilly? It’s not such a bad thing to let others help you, sometimes.