Compass (Second Chances 1)

An hour later, we’re on the sofa in my apartment. Tilly traded her blue scrubs for a pair of my sweatpants and a red T-shirt. I’m dressed in black yoga shorts and a yellow tank top.

We’re both looking down at our plates on the coffee table and the scraps of what used to be two cheeseburgers and a shared order of fries.

We splurged on delivery because we saved money by not going to a bar to order martinis.

Tilly sips on the glass of water in her hand as she glances at me. “Sebastian is having dinner with his brothers, so I can hang out all night. You don’t have to tell me what’s going on, Kate, but I’m here for you.”

Since Tilly and I met, she’s been one of the most supportive friends I have.

I include my friend, Olivia Donato, in that category too. Her time right now is spent doting on her four-month-old daughter, Arleth.

“Someone came into the boutique today.” I tread lightly to give my heart time to ready for the words I have to say aloud.

“More than one someone I hope.” Tilly smiles, twirling a strand of her long brown hair around her finger. “You can’t keep the doors open with one customer a day.”

I know she’s trying to lighten the mood because my sullen silence through dinner wasn’t normal. Usually, I can’t shut up about what’s going on at work.

“Who was it?” Her hand reaches for mine.

I glance down at the simple silver band on her ring finger. Tilly and Sebastian eloped in Mexico. When they first told me, I had to hide the disappointment on my face. I wanted to help Tilly choose a perfect gown and plan the wedding of her dreams.

Once she described their intimate beach wedding to me, I understood everything.

They followed their hearts and it took them to that spot as the ocean water kissed their bare feet and they exchanged vows.

Maybe if Gage and I hadn’t planned a celebration to please three hundred other people things would have been different. Maybe they would have turned out exactly as they did.

Questioning the past is a fool’s pursuit.

That’s another gem courtesy of my mom.

“Tell me who was at the boutique, Kate.” Tilly leans closer to me, a soft smile on her lips.

I say his name, trying to keep my voice from trembling. “Gage.”

Her brow furrows as she processes what I just said. “Gage? Your Gage?”

He hasn’t been my Gage in forever and after he left, I questioned if he ever was.

My silence spurs Tilly on. “Are you saying you saw Gage Burke today? He was at Katie Rose? He was at your boutique?”

I nod slowly. “He was there. In the flesh.”

“Fuck.” The word leaves her lips slowly. “This is huge. I want every detail.”

Chapter 5

Kate

“You sold the Chanel?” Tilly’s eyebrows jump up. “Why are we not drinking champagne tonight and feasting on escargot?”

“Ew.” I scrunch my nose at the mention of snails.

I probably shouldn’t have opened my story with the sale of the Chanel gown, but I was trying to ease myself into talking about Gage.

“None of that matters,” Tilly goes on with a shake of her head. “Where does Gage fit into this?”

“He’s the best man in that wedding.” I almost laugh at the irony of my words.