Page 66 of On the Rocks

But admitting I had feelings for Noah to her — toanyone— was dangerous.

It was impossible.

If I admitted it, I’d have todosomething about it — and that something was either givehimup, or give Anthony up.

I couldn’t do the latter.

I didn’twantto do the first.

It was like white water rafting. I was in the raft — cold, wet, terrified. Worst case scenario, I’d get dumped, hit my head on a rock and life as I know it would be over.Bestcase scenario, I’d make it to the end of the river.

Still cold and wet, but alive.

Therewasno easy way out of the situation I’d found myself in, and the best way I knew how to handle it was to just avoid making a decision at all.

Noah and I were friends. No lines had been crossed.

Everything was fine.

“He’s just my friend, Annie,” I told my best friend, and myself, keeping my voice low. Mama and Daddy were gone, but Anthony was downstairs, working in Daddy’s home office.

Not that I was talking about anything he couldn’t hear.

At least, that’s what I told myself as I lowered my voice even more.

“We haven’t done anything wrong.”

“The fact that you have to say that…”

“I know,” I said, sighing again. “I know. But, he makes me feel… likeme. This summer has been so stressful with all the wedding planning, and when I’m with him, everything feels easier, lighter, more manageable. We havefun, even if we’re just making stupid chalkboard signs.”

“Do you feel that way when you’re with Anthony?”

I didn’t answer.

A long exhale came from the other end of the phone. “Alright. Just get over here so we can talk about this, okay?”

“I really would rathernottalk about it and just make centerpieces.”

“Well, you’re going to have to do both. Text me when you’re on your way.”

I groaned. “Fine.”

“I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

“Ruby Grace?”

“Yeah?”

Annie paused. “Everything is going to be okay. Okay?”

I nodded, ignoring the way my throat tightened at her words. “Okay,” I whispered back.

When we ended the call, I finished packing up the last of the centerpiece ingredients, heaving the first box into my arms and carefully walking it downstairs. It was heavy, and I stumbled on a step, nearly crashing to the floor and taking the fragile contents of the box along with me.

“Shit,” I murmured, balancing the box on the railing.