Undeniable

She smiles. “I hope you don’t mind, but I couldn’t wait for you to come downstairs.”

“I… no of course not.” I’m still standing in the middle of my room. I should be more welcoming, but I can’t help feeling hesitant, after all, I haven’t seen her in years. It feels odd that someone I used to be so close to is now practically a stranger.

“I can’t believe how long it’s been.” She says. "How are you? You look wonderful.” She’s still smiling, but I can sense that she’s waiting for me to put her at ease, to show that I still don’t resent her for what happened seven years ago.

“You look great too.” I smile back and move towards her so we can exchange a quick hug.

“When Aunt Constance told me you were going to be here photographing the house, I thought it was so apt, considering how much you always loved it. She said she would be here to make sure everything was in order, and I thought that perhaps I should drop by while you’re here. How's it been?”

I shrug and go to sit on the bed. “Okay. I’ve mostly been working.”

“Yes.” She pauses. “Jackson was here.”

I nod, wondering why she’s bringing him up, but her face gives nothing away. “Mrs. Shannon said he hardly ever comes here anymore.”

“No, he doesn’t.” She moves to the window, staring down at the front of the house. “I’ve missed this place. “ She sighs. “Sometimes I forget what it’s like, and I start to think I’m in love with life in the city, and then I come back, and it’s like I’m really home.”

I think I know what she means. Halcyon is the home of her childhood and her memories.

“Jackson wasn’t interested in the article until Aunt Constance mentioned that you would be here to do the pictures.” She turns back to face me. "He came here to see you.”

I put on my best expression of incredulity. “Why would he do that?”

Blythe rolls her eyes in a gesture that’s so out of keeping with her elegant appearance that I almost laugh. “You don’t have to pretend with me Livvie." She sighs. “At first I was so angry at you, I didn’t stop to think. And even when Carter told me the truth, I was too angry with him, to wonder why Lindsay did it. But when I started to think about it, it was clear that was never about me, or Carter, It was always about you and Jackson.”

When I don’t say anything, she continues. “I tried to ask him, but he wouldn’t even talk about you.” She shakes her head. “Like the sound of your name was an insult. When in the months that followed, he wouldn’t even come here at all, I knew for sure, even if I didn’t have any proof.” She pauses “I was right, wasn’t I? There was something going on between you and Jackson.”

I shrug. “It was a long time ago Blythe.”

“Not long enough,” She says, coming to sit beside me on the bed, “If you’re the only thing that could make him come back here.”

“Not for long though.” I reply drily, “He was only here for a day.

She chuckles. “He’ll be back before you leave, I’m sure.”

“I hope not.” I look at her squarely. “I don’t know what you're thinking, but I don’t want to relive any aspect of the past. I just want to do my job and go home.”

“Oh.” She looks disappointed. “Oh okay. I just… I hoped ……”

“That there was some romantic happy ending on the way?”

“Well, you deserve it, after everything.”

“Life doesn’t work that way.”

She sighs. “I’m so sorry Livvie, for everything.”

It’s not the first time she’s apologizing. When I left Halcyon the first time and moved to Chace’s new apartment in the city, she'd come to see me, sorry for the way she’d reacted, the things she’s said, and hopeful that I wouldn’t hold it against her. I told her not to worry, but forgiving her, and becoming best friends again as if nothing had happened were two different things, especially when every day I had to deal with the pain that only I knew I was bearing, the pain of losing the man I thought was the love of my life.

“It’s okay,” I reply. “Really.”

“There’s so much I didn’t know then, and I was so in love with Carter, I never stopped to ask you if what he said was true.”

“Blythe, it doesn’t matter.”

“No, it does.” She swallows. “I was arrogant, and the idea that you would be even a little jealous of me, enough to try to take something of mine, was easy to believe. I'd convinced myself that I thought of you as an equal, but deep down I still felt superior because I was Blythe Lockewood.” She shakes her head.

I smile. “Don’t over think it, Blythe. It was ages ago.”