“Nine a.m. Do you need a ride or anything?” I wanted her to say that she did. Any excuse for a little more time with her.

Kenna shook her head. “I can take my car. Or Bell or Caelyn might want to go, too.”

I wasn’t in her trusted circle anymore. I’d wanted to be the person who never let her down. I’d failed completely on that account. But maybe I could prove to Kenna that I was worth having in her life, even if it wasn’t in the way I wanted. “I’m sorry.”

She blinked a few times. “For what?”

“Being an ass on the beach the other day. You deserve to be happy. To have everything you want. I just wish I could be that guy for you.”

46

Kenna

“I’m sorry. He said what?” Bell dropped her spoon into the open container of ice cream.

I worked at my cookie dough with my spoon, trying not to let the tears escape. “He said that he wished he could be that guy for me.”

“Holy swoon, Batman.” Caelyn collapsed against the couch. “That is so romantic.”

Bell pointed her spoon at Caelyn. “It’s not romantic. He needs to get his shit together and be that guy for her.”

“He’s not there yet.” He might never be. But I did have hope that if Crosby ever got to the place of wanting more, he’d let me know.

Bell turned to me. “And where does that leave you? Waiting around, hoping he’ll pull his finger out of his butt and realize that you aren’t his bitch of an ex, and that building a life with you isn’t living with a ball and chain?”

Caelyn screwed up her face. “Why is his finger in his butt? I really don’t get that saying.”

“Ugh, it doesn’t matter,” Bell groaned. “What matters is that he’s still stringing Kenna along. She needs to move on and find someone worthy of her.” Bell glanced at me. “Just not another snooze-fest accountant, okay?”

I grimaced down at my ice cream. I did not want another Henry. I wanted Crosby. And I had a feeling that no other man would ever make me feel alive in the same way, cared for and safe, but without clipping my wings. “I’m not looking to jump back into the dating pool anytime soon.”

Bell sent Caelyn a look. “She’s still holding out hope.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Caelyn argued. “Crosby is perfect for her.” She turned to me. “I really think he’s going to come around. Just give him a little time to realize what he’s missing.”

“Don’t listen to the hopeless romantic. You need to move on. You know how the saying goes, the best way to get over one guy is to get under someone else,” Bell argued.