You told me he was born on Halloween. I know he means the world to you, and I wanted you to be able to show that off, even if no one else understands the significance of the stone.
I have a confession to make, too. Turns out I’m no good at casual, either.
Dealla
So… Where do we go from here?
Holden
I don’t know. I’d like us to have a conversation about this. If it leads to more, then great. If not, then that’s okay, too…
Dealla
I want to have this talk, too. But not right now. Not when you’re about to get on a plane.
Holden
Okay. I’ll call you when I land xx
I set the phone down then immediately pick it back up. My plea to Tristan and Luci is answered within minutes: They both agree to come over as soon as they get off work, just like I knew they would. It isn’t often I request their presence like this, with no explanation and an urgency evident even in text. They most likely know how important this is.
They’ll never know how monumental this is.
Once I’ve read their replies, I toss my phone aside and stroke a finger over the stone. The opal shimmers, colors shifting in the sunlight, and I exhale unsteadily. The necklace goes back in its box, back in the drawer. I love the thought behind it, but wearing it right now, when things are in limbo between Holden and me…
It just seems like a terrible omen.
Tristan gapes when I finish recounting everything. Luci swallows another mouthful of wine before pinning me with a scrutinizing look. I, for my part, struggle not to squirm in my seat. Without a word, Tristan rises to his feet and strides into my bedroom. The drawer scrapes against its tracks as he pulls it open; his low curse causes my eyes to fall shut. Luci reaches over and squeezes my hand. Footsteps approach, and I open my eyes to see the black box in his hand.
“Lemme see,” Luci demands, and he passes it over as he sits. The hinges creak softly, and she lets out a whistle. “Damn, it’s beautiful.”
“It is,” I agree shakily.
Tristan snaps his fingers, waiting until he has my attention, then leans forward with his elbows on his knees. “Dealla, I love you. So much. You know this. But if you don’t jump this dude’s bones with the intent of keeping him, I will literally strangle you.”
“Tris—”
Luci interjects, setting the box on the table. “He’s right. We’ve watched you for years make yourself miserable by being alone. These last few months have been a breath of fresh air for all of us, not just you. You smile more. You laugh more. You are genuinely happier than we’ve ever seen you.”
“It’s—I…”
“What is it?”
“I think I could eventually maybe love him if I let himself,” I whisper. Starbursts explode behind my eyelids when I press my palms against my eyes.
“So what’s stopping you?”
And isn’t that the million dollar question slipping from Tristan’s lips. I shrug but don’t uncover my eyes. My mind trips over itself to make a list of all the reasons it would never work with Holden. He’s famous, we live a thousand miles apart, I’m too busy being a stand-in mother to a toddler. I will never be the type of woman he should be in a relationship with. I’m not high-profile. I don’t know how fame works. I’m not glamorous.
I’m nothing more than a journalism student whose daddy pays for her lifestyle.
Luci scoots closer and throws an arm over my shoulder. “Look, DeeDee, this is your decision to make, but you obviously care a lot about him. And he seems to care about you. For what it’s worth, I think you should give it a shot.”
“Yeah. Be happy. Be disgustingly in love.”
I shake my head at Tristan’s words, but I don’t protest. Instead, I promise to consider it.What am I doing?This will turn out to be a mistake, and I’ll be made a fool.
But I know that if I end up loving Holden, it will never be something I could regret, even if we crash and burn.
