“Arm candy?”
“Bitsy.” Her voice cracked. She hadn’t thought about the people around her,inher life, the ones who’d been there forever, who would be impacted by a tiny fib that had snowballed into something so much bigger.
“Just invite me to the wedding.”
“Obviously.” Because how could she tell her the truth now?
Moving around the counter, she gave a hug to Bitsy, who returned it, holding Lexi tight. “I’m proud of you, honey. You deserve every bit of happiness this world has to offer you.”
“I love you,” Lexi whispered.
“I know. Back at you. Now get out of here. You’re sweaty and not working. I have a business to run.”
Lexi laughed, sniffled, and turned away. She was at the door when Bitsy called her name.
“It’s okay to live your life. You don’t have to feel guilty about letting things go and moving forward. Sometimes the next step means leaving a few things behind. That doesn’t mean they’re gone.Everything you go through is part of you. Makes you who you are. But you can’t become who you’re meant to be if you stand still. I’m glad you’re not standing still anymore.”
Lexi could only nod because she really didn’t want to cry. Bitsy smiled like she understood. “See you tomorrow. You’re training the new girl.”
She left laughing but as she increased her pace, pushing herself, making her muscles burn, she felt the tears sliding down, cold and sharp, as she raced into the wind.
Thirty-four
Will stepped out of the shower Wednesday morning to see his phone almost vibrating off the countertop with incoming texts. He’d tried to talk Lexi into the shower with him but she’d left saying she had to work at both jobs today and had a paper due. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he dried his feet on the bath mat, not letting himself think about how Lexi’s guard seemed to be slipping back into place.
He picked up his phone and walked to the bedroom, scrolling to see his sister had called an emergency meeting with everyone’s presence expected.
“Settling right into boss mode, aren’t you, sis?” he said with a smile. It looked good on her and gave them something to focus on other than their parents being jerks this week.
When he’d finally turned his phone back on Sunday, he’d received countless messages from both parents, group texts started by them, voicemails, and a link to an article in the SundayTimescasting doubt on the strength of their familial bonds given what had gone down Saturday.
It was a lot of unnecessary drama and he hoped like hell Maddie had an idea on how to end it. He hoped his parents would show up. After he dressed, he texted his sister that, wondering if she had a backup plan in place should they act like spoiled children.
Maddie
We’ll give them twenty minutes’ grace and then go to their house. Gramps and Gran are on board but I think they’ll show.
Will
I’m sorry it’s turned like this. No wonder pride is seen as a downfall.
Maddie
LOL. I have news. It’s important.
Will
Are you okay?
His brow furrowed. Maddie was one of the strongest women he knew but she didn’t always share things, preferring to keep her worries and concerns between herself and Rachel. Which he understood now more than ever. When something good or bad happened, he wanted to talk to Lexi.
Maddie
I am. But we can’t move forward like this. See you soon.
They didn’t need to go to his parents’ house. Everyone was waiting in the boardroom when he arrived, including Rachel. There was coffee and a selection of treats from Rachel’s shop on the table and tension thick enough to choke on in the air.
“Good morning,” Will said.
