They both knew who Sloane was really talking about, but neither said his name. Instead Emma gave her a small smile. It said that Tough Love Emma had been checked at the door. She took a small scoop of ice cream out and then was all best friend.

“I know I said it last night, but I’m really proud of you.”

Emma had said that the night before, when she’d come over after the pageant ended, but she hadn’t explained why.

“I thought you’d be mad at me, to be honest,” Sloane admitted. “I lied to you. More than once.”

Emma nodded. “You did; that’s true. But you were going through a lot, and you did what you thought was best to make it through.” She shrugged. “Was I hurt? Yeah, but sometimes, even best friends need some grace between them. I think now that we’re older, it’s easier for me to forget what you and Callum have gone through and are still going through. That, despite us being close, there are some things I just can’t force you to feel or do just because I want you to feel or do them.” She stuck her spoon into the ice cream, then reached out and squeezed Sloane’s arm. “I am so proud of you for putting yourself out there and standing up for what you want. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

Sloane, who had admittedly cried off and on since Callum had taken her home from the auditorium, felt a genuine warmth at her best friend’s words.

Because she had taken a stand and she was proud of herself, too. Even if the outcome had hurt.

“Thank you. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

Emma gave her arm one more affectionate squeeze before returning to the ice cream. They ate a few more scoops before she broke the silence again.

“I came over here to support you in whatever way you needed, whether that be not saying a word or talking about everything. And I’m still going to do that no matter what your answer is, but now I have to ask—have you decided to stay, or are you still going to go?”

Sloane was done with hiding the truth. She didn’t bother skirting around the decision she’d made lying awake in her bed earlier in the day.