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“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. This sweater was ugly anyway.”
A wet laugh breaks through the crying, which only makes everything worse because now I’m laughing and crying at the same time like an actual lunatic.
Nadia pulls back just enough to look at me.
“Okay. Couch. Now.”
“I’m really okay.”
“You’re leaking from multiple places on your face. This is definitely a couch-and-cry-on-your-friend’s-shoulder occasion.”
This time, I let her steer me toward the sofa.
She takes the chair across from me, the same chair Wyatt sat in less than half an hour ago.
I look away from it because I can’t bear it.
Nadia watches me as if I’m something fragile. “Start talking.”
So I do.
I tell her about the video. About Dad finding out.
About going to his house, about how angry Dad was at first, and how I was ready for that part. I tell her I went into that conversation knowing I loved Wyatt and knowing Dad wasn’t going to scare me away just because he didn’t approve.
And then—the rest. The rest that led me to the impossible decision of breaking up with the man I’ve been in love with for longer than I can even pinpoint.
Nadia’s face gets more serious with every word.
“And Dad said Wyatt might resent me one day,” I finish.
“I can see why that scared you.”
“Exactly.”
I hate the relief that rushes through me when she says it. Because somebody else understands.
Nadia is great at making you feel heard and seen.
God, I’m lucky to have her.
She reaches over and takes my hand. “I’m sorry, Quinnie.”
Her thumb brushes over my knuckles. “You don’t have to figure anything out tonight. And whatever happens with Wyatt, I’m on your side. Whatever you decide to do, I’m here.”
Nadia is quiet for a moment before she asks, “Now you just have to tell me how you want me to show up for you. Do you want me to just listen, or do you want to hear my advice?”
I look at her.
“Those are different options?”
“Very different. If you need me to sit here, feed you ice cream and pizza, and agree that everything is horrible, I can do that. I’m excellent at it.”
Despite myself, my mouth twitches.
“And the other option?”