Part 2 (2/2)
A huge smile spread across her face. ”Really? Oh my G.o.d, you won't regret it.”
I stood, and when we shook hands, hers trembled slightly in my own. Wow, was she that nervous?
”You can start on Monday. We'll sort out the paperwork when you get in.”
”Awesome, thank you so much.” The smile plastered all over her face wasn't going anywhere, I could tell.
Alli stretched out on the blanket beside me while I tossed crumbs to the ducks in the pond. The public gardens were just a few blocks from my apartment, and on a beautiful warm day like today, the park was alive with families, tourists, and people like us. I'd cut out of work early to pick her up, and we decided some suns.h.i.+ne was the first item on the agenda for her long weekend visit with me.
”I forgot how much I love summer here.” Her eyes were hazy and wistful, like her thoughts were here but also someplace else.
”You miss Boston yet?”
Alli propped up on her elbow. ”I think I do. New York kind of sucks you into its vortex. Sometimes I have a hard time imagining my life outside the city, but I have to say, I am enjoying the change of scenery. I needed a break.”
The past several weeks had been an adjustment for both of us. After three years of sharing a dorm to being two hundred miles away, our friends.h.i.+p had been strained. But deep down, I knew distance alone couldn't shake what we had.
”No doubt. Any news from Heath?”
”He's doing well.”
”I thought maybe you'd go see him, you know, instead of me.” I was glad she hadn't, of course. After bringing her up to speed on everything that had happened between Blake and me and then having Mark show up seemingly out of nowhere, we'd both agreed that we needed face time.
”Friends first, b.i.a.t.c.h.” She smiled and gave me a little poke.
I retaliated by aiming a few breadcrumbs at her perfectly tousled soft brown locks falling down her back.
”Do you think you'll visit him in L.A.?”
”No. He needs his time there, and frankly, I need time too. I finally got my own place, and the move has been strangely liberating. Every day I felt like I was waiting for him there. Now I'm finally starting my life in the city, without every moment revolving around him and us.”
I nodded, knowing full well how important independence could be in a new relations.h.i.+p. Keeping Blake at arm's length was a constant struggle when I wanted nothing more than to be enveloped in the safety and security of his hyper-controlled world. Blake's world was safe, but it wasn't always reality.
”That makes sense. When does he get back from rehab?”
”Another month or so. Not sure yet.”
”What then? Are you going to pick up the pieces and try again?”
”I think so. We haven't made any commitments, but-” She lay back and stared up at the trees above us.
”What is it?”
”I just... I miss him. That's all.”
I paused, not wanting to push her either way. She was struggling with their separation, but I still wasn't convinced Heath was good for her. Even if he was Blake's little brother.
”Sometimes all I can hear is people judging us.”
I cringed a little, praying she hadn't read my expression or my mind.
”Like, what the f.u.c.k am I doing wasting my time with someone like him? My friends, even you, think he's trouble, and I admit it, he's got problems. But I can't give up on us. He deserves another chance.” She wiped away a tear before it had a chance to fall.
I lay down next to her on the blanket and waited for her to collect herself. Finding out Heath had a drug problem had been a shock, but I couldn't ignore the fact that they were hopelessly in love. I'd never seen Alli so blissed out, and Heath had taken her there. I hoped she could do the same for him, enough to lure him away from an addiction that could ruin their chance for happiness together.
”Alli, I care about you, and I want you to be happy. If I come across as judgy, it's because I'm worried about your well being, not because I question Heath's value as a person. Trust me, I know full well that no one and no relations.h.i.+p is perfect. He's got issues, but all hope is not lost, I'm sure.”
She turned her head and gave me a weak smile. ”Thanks.”
”If he can get his s.h.i.+t together, you can still make this work. Just be smart about it. That's all I want.”
She laughed. ”I'm trying. I'm not very smart when it comes to being in love, I guess.”
”Maybe this break is good. Obviously he needs to work through some of his own issues, but also you both can have time to really think about your relations.h.i.+p without being so wrapped up in the intensity of it.”
”You're right. I'm already getting into a better mind-set, you know, the more time we spend apart.” She took a deep breath. ”Anyway, enough about me and my problems. What about you and Blake? Is he still driving you crazy?”
”You know it.”
”In a good way or a bad way?”
”Both, but we're figuring it out.”
She gave me a grin. ”I think Blake has met his match with you, Erica.”
”Oh?”
”Yeah, I'm sure you don't take any of his s.h.i.+t. Mr. Software Billionaire probably has no idea how to deal with you putting him in his place.”
I laughed at the picture she drew of us. She might have been right. I couldn't imagine many people challenging Blake the way I did. I did it for self-preservation though, not sport. Still, the tug of war drove us both crazy. Mostly good crazy.
”He keeps me on my toes, and he could probably say the same about me. Never a dull moment, that's for sure.” I smiled to myself and my heart did a little flip at the thought of him. Blake was full of challenges. I never knew what the h.e.l.l to expect from him, but that was just another part of our relations.h.i.+p that I couldn't get enough of. The rush, the negotiating, and when the occasion called for it, the sweet surrender.
”Okay, the look on your face is making me nauseous.”
I laughed. ”Sorry.”
”Don't be. I'm just bitter and lonely. Anyway, stand your ground. I know you will, but those Landon men can be pretty d.a.m.n persuasive.”
She looked serious for a minute, then a smile curved her lips and we burst into a fit of laughter.
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