Mine Would Be You (65)

“I think that sounds good, Emma. If it’s any consolation, the Myles I knew would’ve never even tried. I know it’s a weird subject, with everything that’s happened, but he loves you. I can tell.”

She smiles, taking a sip of her drink. “You have so much faith in people. Even when they don’t deserve it.”

I shrug. “We’re human.” I take a sip of my drink, leaning back slightly and tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Maybe I’m putting too much faith in him though.”

“Emma, if you wanted to leave him, I would go with you to a lawyer.” She chuckles. “But you love him. He loves you. And you’re a good person. You don’t seem like the type to give up so easily. If all you’re asking of him is to be open? To talk? That’s nothing. The least he can do is prove that he’s willing to change. Because you deserve that.”

Emma watches me carefully, eyes wide, but I continue.

“He acted poorly, and you’re doing everything you can to make this right. If it doesn’t work, you tried.” I smile. “And that’s what matters. You tried.”

Emma’s eyes are watery, just pooling with tears, but she smiles anyway, shaking her light brown hair before wiping the tears away. “Oh my god, gross. Enough about this.” She waves her hand. “Please, how are things with you? With Jackson?”

I blush instantly. “It’s really great. Too great probably.”

She laughs but shakes her head. “He’s a good guy, Nina, and you’re amazing. I couldn’t imagine a better match.”

My heart flutters in my chest. “I just don’t get it; he can’t be that perfect, right?” I laugh, running my finger around the ring of my glass. “I don’t know, I never thought I’d ever feel anything like this. Ever.”

“I’m happy for you, really, really happy. You deserve it.” Emma smiles, brightly this time. “And he’s not perfect, I can say that, but trust me when I say he’s pretty close.

I lean back. “Yeah, he really is.”

The waiter puts down our steaming plates of food. “God, isn’t it fun gossiping about boys? When they just have no idea it’s happening?”

I laugh softly before taking a bite of my waffle and whipped cream. “There really is nothing better. Harper and Sloan would love this conversation.”

“This may be weird, but would the three of you want to do dinner one night or go get drinks? I really loved them—that is if you think we’re friendly enough for that. I know this is a slightly strange thing, but—”

“Shut up, absolutely. I’d love that.” I grin, taking a big sip of my drink.

Emma smiles, nodding, and the rest of brunch is easy. Talking and laughing until we’re both pink-cheeked and our voices are hoarse. As we leave the restaurant, back under the partly cloudy skies where the sun just peeks through, I pull her into a tight hug.

“Keep me updated, if you’re comfortable, okay? And we’ll plan something with the four of us?” I say, squeezing her.

She squeezes back. “I will. And you as well. I want updates on everything. Thank you for this, Nina.”

“Anytime, Emma. Really, I mean it.” We hold one another for one more second before letting go and turning to make our way down whichever street we came from.

I never thought I would’ve ever had brunch or even be semi-friends with Myles’s wife. The statement still doesn’t make complete sense in my head, but after sitting there with her, I know that he won’t find anyone better.

Myles and I never would’ve worked in the long run, even without everything that happened. He was too selfish, and I was too willing to give at the time, too willing to do or say whatever I needed to make him stay. Neither of us ever would’ve grown up if we had stayed together.

But Emma, she’s demanding respect, she’s trying to help him grow and not just appeasing him. If I’m being honest, she could walk away today and find someone amazing, who wouldn’t make those immature mistakes. But Myles would be taking a loss if he let her go. A big one. So, I’m happy to hear that he’s willing to do what she asks, to take the steps to fix the problem instead of running away like he used to.

As I walk down the street, back towards my apartment, and think about the Myles I used to know. The Myles I remember, the immature one, the one always ready to take and only ever give when it benefited him, the one that would’ve never been willing to change, I realize something.

I realize, that maybe, as much as he doesn’t know who I am anymore, I don’t know who he is either.

And that’s a damn beautiful thing.





The fact that Myles agreed to talk today surprises me more than anything.

Honestly, I expected him to tell me to fuck off and that’d be that. Although, I don’t anticipate this meeting going any better. I uncuff my shirt sleeves, rolling them up on my forearms, and lean back into the high-top seat. The low lights of the bar and old rock music playing overhead fill the modern space.

My brain is running a million miles an hour, trying to make sense of losing someone I consider—or used to consider—my brother. I know I made mistakes and should’ve told him instantly; I just didn’t think about it, and that’s on me. But everything since is on him. I’ve tried, and up until this week, he’s ignored every call I’ve made.