Page 82 of The Second Dance
Heather puts a hand over mine. “Oh, honey. Hopefully, one day you’ll see what the rest of us see.”
“What I see is a girl who’s been getting dumped left and right.”
“She didn’t dump you. You’re dumping her.” Heather squeezes my hand and sits back. “That petty little thing caused so much trouble between you and Bo. Think of what she took from you.”
“Yeah, I’m trying not to dwell.”
“I’m sorry.” She sips her millionaire martini. “If it helps, I have literally been there. I always thought of Becca as a sister. She hit me out of nowhere.”
“How’d you deal with it?”
She shakes her head. “I’m still trying to figure out how to deal. Not just with Becca, but with Chad, too. He was my best friend. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over the hurt they caused. But here’s one thing I do know. Being bitter towards someone is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.”
“You know, for the last ten years, whenever I thought about Silver Bend, I used to feel so much shame and anger. But coming back here has forced me to drag that story out into the daylight. And I guess that beast that’s haunted me for so long sort of lost its teeth. I don’t think I’m bitter towards Whit. Even if she did mean to hurt me. She was a kid. We were all kids. We made mistakes. But to know that she’s secretly resented me all these years? It’s disappointing. It makes me question if this friendship I thought we had was ever real.”
“You’re not asking, but if you were, I’d tell you that girl is toxic. I doubt she even realizes it. That’s the worst kind of toxic person. They can convince themselves, and you, that they have your best interest at heart.”
“I guess I’m wise to her now.” My lips curve into a wan smile. “I just want to let it go, though.”
Heather gives me a long look.
“I’m not going to give her permission to keep on hurting me. I just don’t want to drag that anger around with me for the rest of my life.”
“You’re a better woman than I am. But I admire you.” Heather stirs her drink with its chocolate straw. “Okay, I know I shouldn’t ask, but I’m dying to know. What about Bo?”
“What about him?” I ask, sitting upright. “He doesn’t want to see me.”
She tilts her head. “You’re sure about that?”
“He more or less told me.”
“I’m not going to pry… any more than I already have. But when it comes to the heart, it’s best not to operate on assumptions. Ask, if you’re not sure. Can you promise me that?”
I wave a limp hand. “Sure.”
“I like that enthusiasm.” She says dryly.
“But as long as we’re prying into each other’s business, why haven’tyoutried reaching out to him?”
Heather winces. “He doesn’t want to hear from me.”
“Is there an echo in here?”
She laughs. “Poor Bo. All the women in his life are so difficult.”
My smile fades. “Do you think he has the full picture about what happened between you and his dad?”
“I assume so.”
“Oo.” I wince. “Making assumptions?”
She laughs. “Okay, wise ass.”
“For what it’s worth, I think he should hear your side of the story.” I pause. “He misses you.”
Heather nods, her eyes becoming glossy. She clears her throat. “So, you’re back in Lincoln these days?”
“Yeah. I got everything wrapped up with the Warton place and the arboretum. There’s not really any reason to go back out there.”
