Careless (Enemies to Lovers 3)

“I finished my residency.” A memory flashes through my mind and I start to laugh. “The last time I visited you, you were right when you said we wouldn’t see each other for six years. I can’t believe how time has just flown by.”

“At least we kept in contact,” she says but takes a deep breath when her eyes well with tears. “I miss you. I didn’t realize how much I needed to see you until yesterday.”

“Me too. It’s really good seeing you again.”

“It was nice of Mia and Logan to get married in Marcus’ room yesterday. It meant a lot to him.”

“Yes. I didn’t expect to be invited. I felt a little out of place, but it was beautiful to see.”

I got to meet Danny and she’s just as precious as I expected her to be. I’m happy for Carter that he found Della.

It’s actually weird that I’ve grown closer to Carter than I am with Willow. I need to reconnect with my friend.

“Are you going to go with Marcus to California?”

“I have a meeting with one of the owners today, so I can ask for time off.”

“You’re welcome to stay at my place.”

“I’ll take you up on that.”

Our conversation feels stilted, and I miss the easy-going feel we always had.

“Remember when I came back into the apartment and I told you my mom died?”

“Yeah,” she whispers.

“I was with Jaxson that night.”

Instantly her facial expression changes from somber to curious as she leans forward.

“With him, or wiiith him?” She wiggles her eyebrows to emphasize the word.

“I slept with him,” I whisper as a blush creeps up my neck.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Leaning both her elbows on the table, she rests her chin on her linked fingers.

I must’ve pulled a face because her eyes widen.

“Was it that bad?” she gasps.

I start to laugh and shake my head. “Actually the opposite of bad. It was amazing.” I search for the right words before I continue, “You know I’m not good at expressing my feelings, but when I was with him, it felt so natural. It felt right.”

“What went wrong?” she asks gently, obviously seeing on my face that it hurts to talk about it.

“He was supposed to make me hate him, but instead he made me fall in love with him,” I admit the words out loud for the first time.

“I’m not following. Why was that a bad thing?”

“Because I didn’t just lose my mom, Willow. I lost Jaxson as well. It multiplied the pain and grief.”

It still hurts.

Shock flashes across her face, then it’s quickly replaced by anger.

“He walked out on you?” she hisses. “You should’ve told me, Leigh.”

“He walked away because I told him to,” I whisper.