“Paisley, I love you, but I need some time and space. I have a therapist, and Sam’s staying until I complete this program. Please understand. I’m so glad that you called—”

“Program? Are you in rehab?”

“No.” I let a self-deprecating laugh slip. “Nothing like that.”

“Wait, you have Sam there?”

Shit. Now I’d gone and hurt her feelings, which was the opposite of my intention.

“The therapy I’m going through is for something called complicated grief, and as much as it hurts you to hear this, you are a giant trigger for me.” Just talking to her had the vise tightening around my throat.

“I am?” Her breath left in a rush.

“Yeah, and the treatment requires a support person. That’s why Sam is here.”

Sam gave me a reassuring smile.

“Are you okay? I didn’t even know you were struggling. We’ve never kept secrets from each other,” Paisley murmured.

“I kept one from you,” I corrected her. “Remember?”

She paused, and I could almost see the gears turning in her head, the way her green eyes would shift side to side when she was trying to work something out.

“Will,” she said softly.

“Will,” I confirmed. I’d never told her I loved him when it could have mattered. I didn’t tell her until she’d decided she didn’t want him anymore, and even then, it had been by accident. I’d never wanted to hurt her.

“Complicated grief…is it over Will?” she asked. “Honey, if this is about him, why can’t you talk to me? No one knew him better, or knows you better—”

“Oh, stop it!” I snapped. That facade I’d maintained around Paisley since he’d died—hell, since I’d fallen for him—shattered like glass. I was done having my feelings marginalized or being talked to like I’d been some fifth grader with a crush.

The line fell quiet, taut with tension and more than a little apprehension.

“I’m a trigger,” she said slowly.

My stomach sank at the heartbreak in her voice.

“You’re a trigger, and my best friend, which makes this really, painfully hard.” I sagged against the counter.

“So…” She sighed. “So you need me to leave you alone. Stop calling. That kind of thing?” Her voice broke.

I felt the telltale burning in my eyes and blinked back tears. “Not forever, but for now, yes.”

“Okay. I can give you time.”

“I know. That’s why I love you.” My face crumpled, wishing we were back in our kitchen in Enterprise, snacking on popcorn and M&M’s. Wishing our worlds hadn’t been torn so completely apart that we couldn’t find each other…yet.

“Call when you’re ready. Can I talk to Sam for a second?” Her voice broke.

“Sure.” I handed the phone to Sam, and she started nodding.