Wild Nights With My Brother's Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 59

NICOLE

Katie welcomes me into her home warmly, and I'm pleased to see that she looks fine. Her happiness is contagious—I don't think I'll ever meet anyone like her.

"You look great!" she remarks.

"I could say the same about you," I say with a smile.

Katie runs her fingers through her short hair and returns the smile. "I've always been a big believer that you should live your life regardless of the crap going on around you. Why don't you tell me how you've been?"

As she closes the door and we venture toward the living room, I say, "A lot has happened, and I don't even know where to start."

"You've been quiet," she claims as we grab our seats. "I sent you an email, but you never replied."

I proceed to explain to her everything that happened to me since the last time I saw her, and it's safe to say that Katie is shocked, to say the least. Her mouth is agape and she's looking at me with quiet disbelief in her eyes.

"Nicole..." she begins. I've never seen her at a loss for words. "I had no idea. This is so awful."

The part that hurts the most is definitely the miscarriage. In many ways, I feel like I haven't addressed it yet. I've been pushing it to the back of my mind for so long. When it hits me, will it be so hard that I'll never be able to pick myself back up again?

"I'm to blame for most of this," I admit to her. It's just about the hardest thing I've ever had to do. "I was warned countless times. I ignored every single one of them, especially about Dan. He was a walking red flag and I just stood back while he shat on me."

"It's not good to blame yourself for such a tragedy. You were trying to be fair to him—he's the one who took advantage of your generosity and kindness. What about the other man? Has he tried to see you again after what happened?"

I decide to tell her the truth, because if I don't, I'll lose my mind. "Yes. I saw him at the festival I went to yesterday. He came up with all these lies about my brother's girlfriend. Claimed she was lying about the sexual assault."

Katie regards me calmly. "And did you believe him?"

"No," I say, though I hate how I hesitate. What's wrong with me? "I don't. I know Haley, and she would never lie about such a thing."

"You know her better than I do."

"Why?" I ask suspiciously. "What do you think?"

"Honestly? I don't have an opinion on the matter. It would be easier for me to judge them if I knew them personally. Do you trust your judgment?"

I sigh, unsure of what to say to her. But then I answer, "Yes. I do."

"There is," she claims with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Yeah, but it doesn't matter. He's too good for me."

"That's up to him to decide. Who is he?"

I can't tell her it's her godson. What if she thinks badly of me? I would hate to disappoint Katie. "Oh, you don't know him."

Katie says nothing. She offers me tea, then stands up to prepare it. I rise, too, deciding to follow her, but she puts both her hands up and says, "No, you stay here. I'll take care of it."

Alone, she makes her way to the kitchen. I watch her go, then sink further into the couch as I think about everything we said to each other. I definitely wish there were someone for me who would help me get through this, but I won't be delusional. Not again.

I've made countless mistakes as it is. My life can't afford any more of them.

Suddenly, the front door opens and I turn my head to see who it is, and my heart skips a beat when my eyes land on Sebastian's face. He hasn't seen me yet, so he doesn't react. He calls Katie's name and says, "I'm here."

He's holding a bouquet of white flowers. As he walks further into the living room, his eyes finally settle on me, and shock is suddenly written all over his face. "Nicole?"