Page 93 of Best Kept Secret

“Meeting Sonia wasn’t even the worst of it. It was all the lies. He had so many opportunities to tell me the truth about Annie, but he didn’t. He just let me go on believing she was his niece.”

Stacy looked pained. “Did he explain why?”

“He said he was ashamed and embarrassed. Supposedly, he didn’t tell anyone except his family and Jared, but why not me? I thought we had something special, but now I wonder if it was all in my mind.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t. He was probably afraid to tell you.”

“But he couldn’t keep it a secret forever!”

Stacy sighed. “The only way to truly understand what he was thinking is by talking to him.”

“That’s what Alice and Jenna said too.”

“Your next-door neighbor knows about this?”

“He went to my apartment on Sunday when I was hiding out at your house.” Kelsey had left Stacy a note letting her know she’d been there, so that part wasn’t a surprise.

“Did he tell Alice what happened?”

“Not everything, but enough.”

“I would have liked to overhear that conversation.”

“Me too. Anyway, I’m not sure what to do. I’m still furious at him for lying. It makes me wonder what else he lied about.”

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think he lied about his feelings for you. Yes, he screwed up, but maybe he deserves a second chance.”

Kelsey swallowed hard, recalling the sound of his voice on the messages he’d left her. He’d sounded just like she felt—heartbroken. When he’d admitted he was in love with her, it’d taken her breath away. She’d listened to that message repeatedly until she could recite his words verbatim.

She’d picked up the phone numerous times over the past few days, her finger hovering over his name, but she hadn’t pressed the call button. He hadn’t tried to contact her, either, not since Sunday when he’d come to her apartment. He’d promised to give her some space, but is that what she really wanted? Maybe she needed to talk to him, like her friends had suggested.

The waiter reappeared and glanced at her half-eaten meal. “Is your food okay?”

“Yes, but I’m not very hungry. Can I get a to-go box, please?”

“Certainly,” he said and scurried away.

Stacy had finished most of her food, and Kelsey would have too if her stomach hadn’t been tied in knots. Today she should have been bursting with good news just like her friend. They both should have been celebrating the new loves in their lives, but instead, she felt miserable.

When the waiter returned with a box and the bill, she snatched it up before Stacy could.

“You don’t have to pay,” Stacy said.

“Consider it a thank you for listening to my awful sob sorry.”

“You never have to thank me for listening. That’s what friends do.”

Kelsey smiled, but tears pricked her eyes again. At least, this time, they weren’t over Hudson. Well, not exactly.

When she glanced down at the date on the receipt, her eyes went wide. “Ohmigod! I almost forgot. It’s your birthday this weekend.”

“Shh. Keep it down,” Stacy said.

Kelsey chuckled. “What are you going to do? Do you have plans with Nick?”

“He’s taking me out, but he won’t say where. You know how much I hate surprises.”

She laughed at Stacy’s disgruntled expression. “I suppose you told him that.”