Consolation (Consolation Duet #1)(68)

“I got the invitation with her photo. She looks so much like him.”

“She does,” I agree.

“How are you doing?”

We chat and catch up. She tells me she wants to come out for her birthday party and would love to talk again. I’ve missed her. She was like a mother to me since I was sixteen.

“Are you happy?” The question stops me short. I want to be honest with her, but I worry she’s going to hate me.

“I am. There’s a lot that’s happened in the past year, but I’m moving on. I don’t have any other choice.” I choose not to tell her too much. She doesn’t need to know about Aaron’s affair. I decide to let her memory of her son stay unsullied.

“I’m glad for you. I think he’d be happy too.” Patti sniffles but holds it together. “I’ll let you get back to work and I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

We disconnect the call and I sit back in my chair. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.

The rest of the day passes without any issues. I go over all the files Mark emails over. Reanell texts me and asks me to meet her for lunch. She’s been so busy with the command side of the team that we haven’t seen much of each other. I’m excited to get to spend a little girl time with her, and since everyone in the office is nuts, no one will miss me.

I pull up to our favorite restaurant that serves breakfast all day. Citrus always has a wait, but we’re good friends with the owner. I called her and let her know we’d be coming, so she saved us a place at the bar.

“Hey, sexy mama,” Reanell says as she finds me on my stool.

“I’ve missed you!” I exclaim and pull her into a hug.

She hugs me tight and we act as if it’s been years rather than a week or two. “How’s everything? Vacation seems to have agreed with you.”

“Yeah, it was great.” I smile thinking about the time with Liam. It really was great. I know Reanell well enough to see the wheels turning in her head. I give it five seconds before she goes from chewing on her nail to berating me.

“Seriously? That’s all I get?”

Or maybe less.

I laugh and grab my drink, giving me a few extra seconds and also giving her frustration a little nudge. “I’m happy, Rea. He makes me feel like I can do anything.”

“I’m happy. How are you with the whole SEAL thing and the thing with Aaron?”

She’s the first person to bring it up. She’s also the only person who watched me go a little crazy and shred his shit.

The truth is . . . I’m not sure how to handle either issue. Aaron isn’t here, so I can’t get answers from him. Liam is a SEAL, so I can’t do anything about that either. My choices aren’t really favorable.

“They are what they are.”

“You are a liar.” Reanell laughs and puts her head on her hand. “It’s me. No need to fool me.”

“I can’t do anything about either. I’m still upset about the affair. I was pregnant and he slept with someone else. We’d been trying to have Aarabelle for so long and I know it took a toll on us, but still,” I pause as it all comes boiling back up. “I can’t even pinpoint when things might’ve happened.”

The hair on the back of my neck stands. I can’t explain what has my senses heightened, but I look around, trying to see if I’m being watched.

“What is it?” Rea asks and looks around too.

“I don’t know, I just got a weird feeling.” I look around again but I don’t recognize anyone.

We enjoy our lunch and I tell her about Aarabelle’s birthday party. She laughs and tells me I’m going overboard, but knows there’s no stopping me. I want to celebrate where we’ve come in a year. Aara may not know the life she’s had isn’t exactly sunshine and roses, but she’s had a life filled with love.

“I gotta get back to work,” I say and put a ten-dollar bill down. “The guys are all leaving and I need to make sure everything is in order.”

“First, you’re going to sit here and tell me about the sex.” She crosses her arms and waits expectantly.

I thought I’d gotten away with it, but apparently not.

“I really don’t have to tell you anything.” My smile fades almost immediately when I look at the end of the bar and Brittany is sitting there. “I’m leaving,” I inform her and start to grab my bag.

“Why?” Rea looks and sees her.

Brittany looks over and stands.

Anger flows through my veins. I walk over to her and she averts her eyes. “Don’t look away. Are you following me?”

“Following you? No!” she says and goes to gather her things. “I swear, I don’t want to cause trouble.”

“What do you want?” I ask, because this is the part that still gets me. She wanted me to know about her and Aaron. She could’ve let me go on living my ignorant life, but instead, she made me aware. “I’m trying to move on from all of this, but it’s obvious we’re going to see each other.”

Brittany leans against the chair and sighs. “I want to move on with my life, but there’s a lot causing me not to.”

“I feel the same.”

“Look, I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t set out for you to find out, but don’t you see? I’m the same as you. I’m in pain.” She nearly chokes on the last word.