“Listen, if things with Sydney have taught me anything, it’s that when the right person comes along you have to take a chance, no holding back. You did that and it bit you in the ass, but it won’t always.”

“Or maybe you two are together because it’s easy. She’s always around, and—”

“Stop. I appreciate your concern, but it really isn’t any of your business. She isn’t an article of clothing I’m asking your opinion on. I love her, she’s my best friend, and I want to be with her for… a long time, maybe forever.”

Tara’s eyes widen. “Forever? You’re not going to do something stupid and get engaged before you’ve even graduated college, are you? I wanted you to have a life, but let’s pump the breaks.”

I chuckle. “I think I’ll give dating a whirl for a while first, but she’s not going anywhere. And I think you two have a lot more in common than you think.”

My sister looks skeptical.

“That story you just told me? Sydney has one pretty similar to it. It’s not mine to tell, but she’s been hurt before, too. She knows what it’s like. Listen, I’m not asking that you become friends with her. I know you liked Amelia, I did too, but she wasn’t right for me. I need you to understand that hurting Sydney is only going to put a wedge between us. I know you don’t want that and neither do I. And you owe her an apology. Inviting Amelia down, no matter how much you like her, was super uncool.”

“I know.” She sighs and lets out a breath. “Are we good?”

“Apologize to Sydney, and then, yeah, we’re good.”

She sits back in her chair and I mimic her relaxed posture as I add cream and sugar to my coffee. “So, this guy, does he have a name? Address?”

“You’re not going to hunt him down.”

“No, but I might glitter bomb him.”

27

SYDNEY

A heavy body rolls on top of me and I groan. “It’s too early for sex.”

And my lady parts are sore from two days of makeup sex. It feels like we’ve made up for way more than two years’ worth of missed opportunities.

“Emily’s here.”

My eyes fly open and I struggle to move under Tanner’s weight.

“I’m going to try not to be offended that you’re suddenly wide awake and anxious to get out of this bed,” he says as he moves off me.

I put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt and brush my lips against his. “Will you take us out on the boat this morning?”