Page 37 of Easy Reunion

Chapter 16

Kelsey

Idon’t know what the hell I’m doing. What possessed me to agree to go out with Ry again? What is it he expects from me? It’s got to be something. After all, something that burned that hot couldn’t lead to something more.

Could it?

Agreeing to meet Ry at Gumbel Fountain in Audubon Park seemed like a good idea last night, but in the light of day, while yanking out everything in my dresser and closet trying to find something to wear that doesn’t make me resemble an exhibit at the zoo, I’m not so sure.

“Maybe I should text him and cancel,” I grumble aloud as I toss another pair of shorts on the bed.

“I’ll hide your phone if you even reach for it. You are going to go long enough to get your apology, Kelsey, so help me God,” Angel warns me from the now open doorway.

Startled, I spin around. She’s rubbing her hand over Lucy, who seems to be getting bigger inside her mama’s belly each day. “And stop worrying about what you’re going to wear. Who cares?”

“I do since I’m judged every time I walk out the door,” I return.

“The only person doing that to you anymore is you,” she retorts.

Startled, I drop the sixth pair of shorts I’d planned on trying on.

“Hold on to everything you’ve managed to accomplish, Kels, and stop berating yourself for the fact you’re not perfect. Hell, am I?”

“You always have been,” I tell her sincerely. Because in my eyes, Angel is everything: beautiful, loving, and smart.

“That’s because you love me. Don’t you see? If someone loves you, they forget about your imperfections and focus on all the beauty that comes from within.”

Walking over to my bed, I sit down on top of all the discarded clothes and pull my knees into my chest. “What am I doing, Angel?”

“Other than sitting on half your closet?”

“Cute. I’m not certain I can handle opening up myself to this—to him,” I admit. I’d shared the texts from last night with Angel this morning.

“Darlin’, who says you’re the one who has to? It seems to me like he’s the one who needs to speak up and say what’s on his mind.”

“Have you ever known a man to do that?” I demand.

“Just Dare when he…”

“Stop talking. Right now.”

Angel laughs, when I flop back groaning. Sobering, she asks, “Do you think there’s something there that’s worth exploring?”

“Maybe, but how do I not resent it’s happening now because of the way I look? I’m proud of who I’ve become, but sometimes I want to be loved because of being attractive inside.” I voice my frustration. My eyes finding hers, I smile ruefully. “You know, the same person I’ve always been.”

“Get it out in the open and you let him explain like the man he’s supposed to be. And as for your struggle about not being attractive on the inside, let me remind you, you were asked out plenty before you ever had the surgery.”

I snort derisively.

Angel hauls off and punches me in the arm. “Don’t give me that crap. I’m not talking about at school but after. That cute PA at the surgeon’s office asked you out constantly. What was his name again?”

I dismiss her words with a wave of my hand. “Rick? He was nice. I’m sure it was just as friends.”

“Right,” she drawls sarcastically. “Friends. That’s why he looked like he was sucker punched when you ran into him with an actual date.”

I flush before averting my eyes. “This is the problem with having a best friend. They know too much.”

She smiles before her face gets serious. “I need you to make me a promise.”