Pushing You Away - Noah & Katie (Ex-Con Duet 3)

"I've always been in love with Noah, and I guess...if things were different—"

"Things are different now, and you have the opportunity to create your future, so do it. If your feelings are mutual, what's stopping you now?" Everleigh interjects.

"Exactly," Gemma adds. "Giving Tyler a second chance was one of the best decisions of my life. I ran from him and my heart so damn much and wasted a lot of time. Who gives a shit what anyone has to say? It's about you and what makes you happy while doing the best you can for Owen. Anything else is just outside noise."

My emotions begin to bubble. "But Loretta and Elliot..."

Gemma turns her face toward me, and I meet her eyes. "They'll get over it. There's no way they'd ever give up seeing their grandson. I know my aunt and uncle better than that. They might not agree and be angry about it, but Owen is the only piece of Gabe they have left. Now, you might get guilt-tripped and yelled at, but you can’t allow them to control you. Following your heart is all you should worry about."

"She's right," Everleigh says. "I know it's cliché as hell, but you only live once. And you deserve to be happy. We support your decision and know how good the two of you would be together."

"And I will selfishly always be Team Noah and Katie!" Gemma reminds me.

"Me too, and then after you and Noah get married, we'll all be sisters," Everleigh exclaims. "So make it happen, pronto!"

I snort. "But what if it all goes wrong?" Losing Noah twice would not only destroy me again but it’d affect Owen too.

"And what if it all goes right?" Gemma counters. "Then you get the happily ever after you deserve, and Owen will have a man in his life who cares about him more than anyone else could."

Though it seems amazing, it’s almost too good to be true.

Their words drift through the room just like the mimosas in my bloodstream. I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath. "You're both right, but I don't even know where to start."

Gemma chuckles. "It starts with you giving him a chance."

A smile touches my lips, and it's decided, just like that. My heart has always beat for Noah, and though I loved Gabe when we were together, it hadn’t felt right.

"Not to change the subject or anything, but have either of you been to the deli lately?" Everleigh asks. "I went a few days ago, and Brittany was working, so we started talking. Then she started asking about my boutique, which is fine, but then it turned to Tyler’s gym and how Smith and Noah were doing there. Of course, I was vague about Noah, but her sugary-sweet tone threw a couple of red flags."

Our massage therapists place warm stones on our bodies, then leave the room, giving us much-needed privacy.

"Yes!” I shriek. “I went two days ago, and oh my God, she gave me the strangest vibe. She was asking why I was buying two meals, then proceeded to talk about Owen. I don’t know. She’s probably trying to be nice, but my gut says something is off with her. "

Gemma lets out a long sigh. "I'm sure she means well. She's still kinda new around here and is probably just trying to make friends since we're close to her age. She asks about Tyler and me all the time."

"I am not listening to your judgment calls when it comes to people," Everleigh says. "She's weird as hell."

I snort. "You're terrible. Maybe she’s an introvert."

“Uh, no...Gemma’s an introvert, you’re an extrovert introvert...but Brittany has I’ll sell your soul if you cross me vibes,” Everleigh says. “And I’m clearly an extrovert, which is why I’m the life of the party.”

I burst out laughing, which actually kinda hurts when I’m lying on my chest. “Yes, clearly.”

"Oh my God…” Gemma groans. “Because I make one bad judgment call on someone, now I'm bad at judging everyone?"

Everleigh and I say yes at the same time.

"Plus, she was strange at the retirement party too. She doesn’t even know Noah, yet she was obnoxiously flirty with him," I say.

"Do I hear a hint of jealousy?" Gemma teases. "I think she's just friendly and doesn't know boundaries. Prove me wrong."

Our massage therapists return and tell us to put our robes on when we’re ready. We're escorted to the next room for our manis and pedis, plus more mimosas, but I pass because I have to drive after this.

By the time our spa day is over, my body feels like it's made of spaghetti noodles, but it was a much-needed day of relaxation. After we hug goodbye, I head to my car and am grateful to have spent time with my best friends.

As I drive to Noah's, I think about what they did all day. Owen packed enough things to keep them busy until next week. My thoughts drift to my conversation with Everleigh and Gemma and giving Noah a chance. If following my heart was as easy as they made it sound, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.