Say something.
The plea and the tears gleaming in her eyes would haunt him forever.
He opened his mouth.
Her voice shattered and broke like a thousand pieces of fragile glass. “I can’t do this anymore.”
The door shut.
Wolfe turned away. She was gone. He’d done it. Severed the final ties between them. Maybe, with time, they could go back to friendship. He’d bury his emotions, wait the proper grieving time, and approach her. At least she was safe. Getting her life back on track. Coming into herself again.
He’d wait. For now, he’d tell Sawyer to let her fly home so she could have the time she needed to get over him. He’d return in a few days, lie low, and slowly introduce himself back into her life. With distance. Safely.
As a friend.
Say something.
Wolfe bowed his head and reminded himself he had done the only thing possible.
He’d saved her from himself.
Twenty-eight
GENEVIEVE SLID INTO the booth and grinned. Her besties roared with approval and pushed over a margarita with just the right amount of salt rimming the edge. Today was her last day at Kinnections before officially going back to her residency. After a long conversation with Brian about options, a heart-to-heart with some key people at the hospital, and a discussion about Sally’s vandalism on her house, Gen felt better prepared. She was a surgeon and it was time to claim her future. There would still be plenty of ghosts to fight, but she was finally ready to take them on.
“I’m gonna miss you guys,” she said, lifting her glass. Kate, Arilyn, and Kennedy clinked their glasses together and drank. “I kinda got used to having you around all the time.”
Kate lifted a brow. “That’s not going to change. I know you’re going to be crazy busy, Gen, but I don’t want you to ever slip away from us like before. You need balance. You need us.”
“Absolutely,” Arilyn chimed in. “Life passes too quickly, and though your work is important, it’s not everything.”
“Hell, when you start getting weird or secretive, we’ll just drag you out for a drinkfest,” Kennedy informed her.
Gen laughed. “Thanks guys. It’s good to be back at Mugs.”
They launched into girly chatter about shoes, the latest matches at Kinnections, and wedding plans for Kate. She also noticed Kate’s hesitation to discuss any details, and immediately grabbed her friend’s hand. “Kate, listen to me. I know things have been uncomfortable with my wedding blowing up. But I’m so happy for you and Slade. Because you showed me the difference between a real love match versus what looks good on paper. Talking about dresses and favors and flowers is fun, and it doesn’t make me sad. Understood?”
Kate nodded, and her face relaxed. “I just felt so bad. You’re my maid of honor and I didn’t want you to regret saying yes to me.”
“Never. It’s going to be an epic wedding, and standing by your side will make me happy. Now, no more bullshit.”
Kate laughed. “Done. Now can someone help me talk my mother out of donating marijuana brownies for the favors?”
Kennedy lifted a brow. “I think I’m about to encourage it.”
Arilyn kept oddly quiet throughout the next round of drinks. Finally, Gen leaned in and pitched her voice a bit higher to be heard. “A? What’s up? You seem distracted. You okay?”
Kate and Kennedy shared a knowing look. Arilyn smiled, but it was weak compared to her megawatt genuine one that made people happy. “I was wrong,” she finally said.
Gen cocked her head. “Wrong about what?”
Her green eyes flickered with a hint of regret. “I told you it’s best to let the moment lead. Not discuss the terms of a relationship or the rules, or real feelings. I meant what I said at the time, but lately I’ve been thinking I’m very wrong.”
Kate began to get that mean look. Gen figured she was about to beat the living crap out of Yoga Man. Kennedy actually curled her fingers into her fists as if getting ready to train. “Did something happen?” she asked gently. “Did he hurt you?”
Arilyn’s shimmering golden red hair shook, then settled. “Not yet. But it’s the coward’s way. If you love someone, you need to be honest. Brave. Tell them straight out and blow up the fucking rules. Because I’m starting to believe there shouldn’t be any rules when you love someone.”
Gen almost doubled over with pain. The image of Wolfe flashed in her mind, and the hurt wasn’t any better. It was blinding, breath-stealing pain that made her heart whimper. Since they arrived back home two weeks ago, he’d moved out of her house and kept his distance. A few texts, some calls. One night she could have sworn she caught sight of his car parked down the road by her house, but when she walked outside to investigate, the car was gone.
She sensed him everywhere, yet nowhere. Since that fateful day on the balcony, Gen realized she couldn’t live her life in a constant state of need anymore. It might hurt, and she also worried she’d never truly get over him—that she’d wind up searching for a mate who would be only a pale imitation of the man who held her heart. But she was going to give it her best shot.
This time, there was no consolation prize of friendship. Those chick flicks had been right after all.
Sex between friends ruined everything.
The group sighed with sympathy. “I’m sorry, A,” Gen said. “When I finally told Wolfe the truth, he couldn’t give me what I needed. But you’re right. I think it may be better to find out sooner rather than later.”