Bliss (Entangled Hearts Duet 2)

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too, but it’s for the best. It might have been bad timing, but it’s better in the long run. I mean, he was saving himself for his wife. I could have taken that from him. I know we would have made it work, and maybe in time, I would have been able to give him more of me, but… I don’t think so.”

“Why is that?” I ask. My heart hammers in my chest, waiting to hear her say it. I know the answer; it’s me. Don’t judge me. I need a small morsel of something when it comes to her.

“You.”

It’s not a confession of love, but I’ll take it. “The offer still stands. If you want me to go with you.”

“No. I need to do it on my own. Besides, that’s kind of a slap in the face bringing you with me.”

“Why? For all he knows, we’re just friends.” I’m sure by now he’s heard rumors or even figured it out on his own. Nixon said it was written all over my face. It’s also no coincidence I was the one that rushed out of the banquet hall after her.

“I think our friends and family have proved otherwise.”

“You’re right. I don’t hate the guy, but he wasn’t the man for you.” I lean down and kiss the tip of her nose. “No one can love you like I can.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” she asks, a slow, sleepy smile playing at her lips.

“Didn’t you hear? Your best friend fell in love,” I say, and her eyes soften. “Now, go grab that shower and toothbrush you were rambling about, while I make us some breakfast.”

“I’m not sure what our options are. I guess I should add going to the store to my list of things to do today,” she says, climbing out of bed.

“We can do that.”

“We?”

I nod. “Yes, we. Now go.” I walk toward her and snake my arms around her waist before she can get away. I give her a hug and kiss her neck softly before releasing her. I leave her to grab her shower while I rummage through her cabinets.

She’s right. She has nothing. There’s a small diner just down the street we used to frequent in college. After a quick search, I have their number, and I call in an order. I should be back just as she’s finished getting ready. Not wanting to find me gone and think I ran, I head back down the hall and knock on the bathroom door.

“Yeah,” she calls out over the running water.

I push open the door and curse the fact she has a dark green shower curtain. “Hey, babe, I’m going to run to the diner and grab us some breakfast. You were right. The kitchen is bare. You need anything else?” You know, like help with that shower?

“Told you. No, I’m good. Thanks, Coop,” she calls back.

Reluctantly, I close the bathroom door, grab the keys from the kitchen counter, and lock up behind me. I walk since it’s just a block over, and call Nixon on my way.

“Where should I send the bail money?” is his greeting.

“What the fuck? What makes you think I need bail money?” I ask.

“Because I know your stubborn ass, and Reese sent Tess a message telling her you were waiting at the airport for her. I know your stubborn ass too well and assumed Reese had to call the cops to get you to leave.” I can hear the humor in his voice.

“For your information, I stayed at her place last night.”

“Really?” He’s surprised.

“Yes, but nothing happened. We talked a lot, and then I might have got fed up with the couch and crawled into bed with her,” I confess.

“How’d that go over?”

“She didn’t kick me out. We talked some more, and I woke up this morning with her in my arms, where she’s supposed to be.”

“You know, I’m kind of glad you didn’t realize you were in love with her until now,” he tells me.

“Why’s that?” I’m almost afraid to ask.

“Because I would have had to listen to all this sappy ‘I’m in love’ bullshit all four years of college.”

“Like I didn’t listen to you when it came to Tessa.”

“Dude, you don’t hear yourself. You’ve got it bad.” He laughs.

“Yeah, I do. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I also know what it’s like to not have her in my life, not fully. When you experience that, you’ll learn to cherish what you have and shout it from the rooftops too.”

“You think I don’t cherish my fiancée?” he asks, surprised.

“No, I know you love her. I just mean that until you know what life is like without that person, you won’t get it. You and Tessa are solid, have been since day one. Be grateful for that. I was the dumbass who pushed Reese away. Then, I was the same dumbass who found out what life is like without her. It changes you. At least it did me. I want anyone and everyone to know how I feel about her.”