Page 114 of Promises We Meant to Keep
It didn’t take her long to get Kamryn settled into the room that they were going to share. And by the time they were done eating the festive Thanksgiving, Kamryn stayed in the kitchen to help clean up while Elia settled onto the sofa with a glass of wine, Abagail still giving her an odd look.
“I was hoping for a minute to talk to you alone,” Abagail said, sliding onto the sofa next to Elia. “I didn’t want to say this in front of Mom or Kam.”
“Go for it.” Elia sipped her wine and relaxed. She could tell that something was bothering Abagail all evening, so now it was finally time to have it out. This would be a good thing.
“I don’t think you and Kam should be in a relationship together, and it’s not because I think she’s too young or not right for you or this is an HR nightmare. I’ve already told you all of that.”
“You have,” Elia agreed, trying to figure out where this was heading.
“It’s not even because I don’t like her. I do like her.” Abagail twisted her wine glass between her fingers, not even looking up at Elia. “I just like you more.”
Elia laughed lightly. “We’ve been friends for decades. Of course you like me more.”
Abagail shook her head slowly, and Elia’s breath caught. “No, not like you think I do.”
Elia’s stomach tightened. She looked out toward the kitchen, hearing Kamryn’s laughter with her mom, and steadied herself. “What are younotsaying?”
“I’m in love with you.”
“Abagail…” Elia’s body went cold. “We’re best friends.”
“I know we are. It’s why I haven’t said anything before now. You were never interested in me in that way, and I never thought that I’d say anything, but seeing you and Kam together? I can’t help but wonder what if it was me?”
It had been Abagail. For years when Elia had been single, she’d used her friendship in that way, relying on Abagail for the support that she would normally rely on a partner to help with. That hadn’t been right of her. But they were best friends.
“I’m not in love with you like that,” Elia lowered her voice, again looking toward the kitchen. She couldn’t have Kamryn walking in on this. It would blow up, it would be a disaster, and they had finally found even footing lately.
“I know you’re not.” Abagail lifted her chin up, sadness sweeping through her gaze. “It doesn’t mean that I’m not in love with you. I always have been.” Abagail reached out and rested her hand on Elia’s knee. “And seeing you so happy with Kam is fucking hard, Elia.”
“I can’t imagine.” She couldn’t. She’d never been in a situation like that before. She’d always been the one on theoutside looking in but never with the feelings and the emotions attached to it. Looking around her mother’s house now came with an entirely different feel. Had she been giving off the wrong signals for years? Had Abagail found places where Elia had accidentally told her that she was interested in a more romantic partnership? Had she taken advantage of Abagail’s feelings without even considering the cost to their friendship?
“Don’t do that,” Abagail whispered, squeezing Elia’s knee before she moved her hand. “Second guessing the last three decades isn’t going to win you any favors.”
“How did you—?”
“I know you.” Abagail frowned into her wine. “And I love you, so of course I pay attention to how you behave.” Abagail shook her head. “I don’t want you to be with her, not because she doesn’t make you happy, but because I want to be with you.”
Elia had no idea what to say. She’d never heard any of this from Abagail before.
“I think I’m going to go,” Abagail said, standing up and putting her wine on the table. “Will you tell Mom I’ll call her next week?”
“Uh… yeah.” Elia stood up, following Abagail toward the front door to the house. She again was at a loss for words. Did she say she would call Abagail? See her soon? This put her in such an awkward spot, and they hadn’t really resolved anything. Abagail had just dropped this bomb on her lap and now she was leaving.
At the front door, Abagail snagged her jacket and scarf, putting them on. All the while, she kept her gaze on Elia, and a sad smile on her lips. “I’ll call you soon. I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Elia said, glad to have at least that little bit of hope.
“I’m just going to take some time. Okay? I want you to be happy, and I see that with Kam in ways I never saw with anyoneelse.” Abagail stopped, she stared down at Elia, and then she took a step forward. “I want something just like this.”
Abagail moved swiftly. She cupped Elia’s face and pulled her in, pressing their lips together in a swift kiss. Elia’s stomach twisted sharply, and she pulled away, immediately moving her hand up to her mouth and wiping her lips.
“I’ll call,” Abagail said as she stepped out the front door. She looked at Elia and then over Elia’s shoulder, nodding before she stepped away.
Elia knew without turning.
Kamryn was standing there. The voices in the kitchen had gone silent. The blood rushed into her ears, making her head spin, and she felt like she was about to collapse to the floor in a puddle of something she wasn’t sure she could even name.
“I didn’t…” Elia started.
