Good Girl Gone Plaid(45)
“You’re still a romantic, dear sister.” He stood and cupped her face, kissing the top of her forehead. “It’s what I love about you. Don’t ever change.”
“I’m a realist. Even if you’re both too blind to see the truth, someone has to.” Kenzie slid off his desk and pulled her keys from the pocket of her jeans. “I’m off to drop by Sarah’s house and make sure she’s okay.”
She wasn’t. He knew it instinctively. He recalled the way she’d ordered him to leave. The way she’d emotionally shut down on him. And after the way he’d treated her, he’d deserved it.
Heaviness settled on his heart and regret became a bitter taste on his tongue.
Later tonight he’d drop by Sarah’s and apologize. He wouldn’t try to seduce her. Wouldn’t invite himself in for a drink.
Perhaps he’d screwed up more times than he could count where Sarah was concerned, but there was one thing left he could do to make things right between them.
That was to finally let her go.
Chapter Twelve
Not again.
Sarah sighed, reluctant to open the door to the insistent knock. But she did so anyway, and faced her guest.
“I’m not really good company right now, Kenzie.”
“I gathered, seeing as you didn’t answer my call. Or my texts.” Kenzie stepped in through the doorway. “You know that’s going to make me worry, right?”
“I’m sorry. Honestly, I’m not even sure where my phone is.”
“Not a problem. I can simply help you find it.”
Kenzie wasn’t going to leave, but then she hadn’t really expected her friend to go so easily.
“Don’t you have to work or something?” Sarah closed the door and followed Kenzie into the house.
“Actually, I’m off today. Lucky for you.” Kenzie crossed to the counter in the kitchen. “Oh, look. Here’s your phone.”
Crap.
“It’s always in the most obvious place, isn’t it?” Sarah murmured with a slight shrug.
Kenzie shifted the phone from one hand to another, staring hard at Sarah.
“You look just as awful as he does.”
Sarah’s mouth fell open and she blinked in dismay. “Excuse me? I’ve showered—”
“Okay, props for not stinking. But you both look like you’ve gone through an emotional hurricane.”
Sarah’s chest tightened and she was thankful there were no more tears to cry.
“Oh, Kenzie… I know you mean well. But you’ve got to let it go.”
“What’s keeping you two from being together?”
“What’s not?” Sarah hesitated. “There’s just so much. We don’t stand a chance.”
“You guys have an amazing chemistry.”
“Yes, well so do Mentos and diet soda, but they don’t last forever. In the end you’re just left with a complete mess.”
Kenzie nodded slowly. “Is it what happened with him and Hailey back then? I’m not going to argue that he messed up, big time. I’ll give you that.”
“It’s part of it,” she agreed softly.
How could someone you loved, who claimed to love you more than anything, go and sleep with one of your best friends? How did you ever get past that?
“He was only eighteen. I know it doesn’t excuse it, but he was probably like every other teenage guy thinking with his dick.” Kenzie’s face scrunched. “And from what I understand, Hailey came on to him. Which still shocks the hell out of me. I never expected her to play such a blatant slut card.”
Ouch. She winced at the harsh words for the woman they’d once considered a close friend.
“Maybe it was the alcohol?” Sarah suggested, not sure why she was defending either of them. “But they both made the decision that night.”
“It was so long ago.” Kenzie hesitated. “If Ian means as much to you as I think he does, maybe you could try forgiveness?”
Would it ever be that easy? “Would you be able to if you were in my place?”
“I don’t know, honestly.” Kenzie hesitated, seeming to think on it. “But if I loved someone…or thought I did, I think I would truly try.”
Sarah closed her eyes. If only it were that easy. If only things weren’t such an absolute mess. Coming back to the island had been a mistake. She shouldn’t have opened a door that had been sealed shut. It risked the life she’d gone on to build without Ian.
Bringing him back into it at this point… A chill swept through her and she shook her head.
“It can’t work, Kenzie. Ian and I are too different.”
Kenzie looked as if she wanted to say something, and then bit her lip. She shook her head instead.