Closing her eyes, she rubbed her face. “I can’t tell you that,Em.”

“Why?” My voice rose. Couldn’t she see how desperate I was to know the truth? The truth they were hiding.

“Just as I said, I will answer your questions as long as it’s about me. And it’s not about only me here, Em. Nor is it my secret to tell. Only Ace can give you these answers.” She blinked away the unshed tears. “But believe me, Em, there was never anything between me and Ace except friendship. And I’d never, ever cheat on Caleb. It’s not always what it appears to be. Sometimes, you need to see beyond it.”

Her eyes pleaded me not to ask anymore questions as I sat there silently, taking in her words. What did she mean?

It was not what it appeared to be? Then what was it? Maybe Ace had the answer to this question.

Though my confusions remained unsolved, her stating there wasn’t anything between them did something to my heart.

“Em?” Her voice snatched my gaze back to her. “I hope you understand why I can’t tell you anything. It’s not my place to tell you this. I’m sorry.”

I nodded. “It’s all right. I understand.”

She placed her hand on mine. “I know how important it is for you to understand everything so you can take your next decisions of your life. So, I’d suggest you ask him yourself. I think the time has come for you to know everything.”

Surprised, I watched her in confusion. Did I really want to know everything to take my next steps in my life with him? Was I considering Cassie’s advice to give us another chance?

And what did she mean by it was the time for me to know everything? Why did it feel like the truth I was going to know soon would change my life forever?

The blare of my phone distracted me from my thoughts. It was Beth.

“Hello,” I said, picking up the phone.

“Hello, is this Em I’m talking to?” a male voice spoke from the other side of the phone, some hubbub buzzed in the background.

“Yes? Who is it? And why are you calling from my friend’s phone? Where is she?” I frowned.

“Miss, I’m calling you from Dakota’s Bar. Your friend here is drunk and alone. She’s refusing to leave, and we don’t know her address. So, we got your number from her emergency dial list and called you. We’d be grateful if you come get your friend. She’s in a pretty bad state and we don’t know what to do with her.”

“Oh God! How long has she been there?” I shot up from the chair.

“Approximately four hours, miss,” the man replied.