Page 50 of Made for Wilde

“It’s not a soap opera,” I protest. “It’s... complicated.”

“Oh, please.” Sarah rolls her eyes as she whisks the eggs. “Man meets woman. They have chemistry. They sleep together. Tale as old as time.”

“Sarah, he’s my dad’s best friend.”

“So? Your dad doesn’t own either of you.”

I fiddle with a napkin, shredding it into tiny pieces.

“You don’t understand. They’ve been friends since before I was born. Koda’s like family to him.”

Sarah pours the eggs into a hot pan.

“And what about what you want? Does that matter at all in this equation?”

“Of course it does. But?—”

“No buts.” She points the spatula at me. “You’re an adult. Koda’s an adult. Your dad is an adult who will eventually get over it.”

“You didn’t see Koda’s face when we said goodbye.” I swallow hard. “He looked... defeated.”

Sarah’s expression softens.

“Of course he looked defeated. He cares about you.”

“Yeah. But not enough to fight for this. For us.”

“Maybe he thinks he’s protecting you.” She slides a plate of scrambled eggs in front of me. “Men are stupid that way. They think they’re being noble when really they’re just being cowards.”

I poke at the eggs with my fork.

“He’s not a coward. He’s loyal. To my dad.”

“And what about loyalty to his own heart? Or yours?” Sarah sits across from me, coffee mug cradled in her hands.

I take a bite of eggs.

“It doesn’t matter. We made our decision.”

“Decisions can be unmade.” Sarah reaches across the counter to squeeze my hand. “People change their minds all the time.”

“Not Koda. Once he decides something, that’s it.” I think of his face as he drove away. “He’s stubborn.”

“So are you.” Sarah grins. “It’s one of your better qualities.”

I shake my head and push the plate away.

“Not this time. This time, I’m going to be an adult and respect his choice. Our choice.”

Sarah studies me for a long moment.

“And what if you see him again? At your dad’s birthday, or Christmas?”

The thought makes my stomach drop.

“We agreed to be polite and distant. Like nothing ever happened.”

Sarah snorts. “That sounds healthy.”