I blushed. “I’m not saying Rhys is the love of my life. We’re not there yet. I’m just saying … what I had with Theo was different. It was sweet and lovely. It was first love. It was the love between two fumbling kids.” I smiled now, amazed at the way it didn’t hurt so much anymore. “I think I held onto what I had with him for so long because I was afraid to get hurt again. To lose like that again. This, with Rhys … it isn’t a choice to move on, to take that risk again.” I shrugged. “I just can’t not. I want him more than I’m afraid of losing him.”

There was a moment of heavy silence between us, and then Zoe threw back the rest of her wine and announced, “I need to buy that man a big goddamn present because I’ve never seen you this happy, and it makes me ecstatic. I love you, Park.”

This time, tears did thicken my words. “Love you too, Zo.”

“But just saying”—she leaned over the counter, her eyes hardening—“he hurts you in any way and I will personally see to his physical, financial, and emotional evisceration.”

I laughed. “Good to know.”

“Speaking of, is he really going to fight?”

The thought of Rhys fighting against his will made me sick to my stomach. “I hope not. He’s talking to Dean tomorrow about the gym’s finances. He asked me to come over just after. He didn’t say it, but I think he needs some moral support.”

“Of course, he does.”

“I hope I’m right to trust Dean to help Rhys out with this.”

“Hopefully, honey.”

I exhaled heavily and then waved a hand between us. “Enough about me. What’s new with you?”

“Not much.” She lowered her gaze, a little frown line between her brows. “I agreed to go on a blind date set up by my producer last Friday.”

“And?”

Her beautiful dark eyes finally met mine. “He researched me. All he did was talk about Richard.”

Zoe never referred to Richard Bancroft as her father.

“In what sense?”

“He was fangirling.” She curled her lip. “The guy is a fan of the money.”

It baffled me that someone as kind and funny and drop-dead gorgeous as Zoe Liu was single. Unfortunately, the men she dated either ended up being intimidated by her inherited wealth or were too obvious about their interest in her inherited wealth. There had been a few who seemed to genuinely be into Zoe, but then they’d destroyed it by cheating on her or getting annoyed by the hours she worked on the talk show.

Her lack of romantic entanglement was not for want of trying, and part of my reticence to date over the last few years had been from watching my amazing best friend try and fail over and over.

I was exhausted for her.