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I pressed the pillow closer, like it would shield me from the hurt. “He would eventually realize that we were better off as friends. He hasn’t been with someone in a while, I guess since I’ve been cramping his style, so he’s just randy. Wanted someone and I was there.”
She silently assessed me.
I turned my head a bit. “Um, Kiley?”
She nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
I gnawed on my lip. “Oh, I thought I lost you.”
She huffed. “No, the only one who lost something is you. You’ve lost your damn mind.”
Whoa. Kiley didn’t swear. “Have something to say, mama bear?”
She sighed. “Look, I know I’m a little off right now. I’m so upset over what’s happening with Darren Mulaney and my daughter, I could start spitting flames. So, maybe my delivery is a little harsh, but seriously, what the hell? Can’t you see how much that man loves you?”
I felt like she sucker-punched me. “Maybe like a sister.”
She scoffed. “That man is drooling over you every time we see him. He’s holding back to give you time to be ready, but there is no doubt in my mind that he wants you.”
I lowered my gaze to the beautiful hardwood floors throughout their home.
Kiley ducked to catch my eye. “Phoebe? Look at me.”
With a deep breath, I glanced up at her.
She reached out and took my hands in hers. “Believe me, I know how overwhelming it can be to realize a man is interested in you. Love can be terrifying. But the only reason not to try a relationship is fear, right? Don’t you want to choose love over fear?”
My heart raced. “I have so much to lose if I can’t get this right with him.”
She gave me a weak smile. “Yes, but your history with him makes it more secure, not less. You know Ransom won’t hurt you.”
My eyes stung. “I have nothing without him, Kiley. They’re my only family. If something went wrong between us, I’d be completely alone in the world.”
Kiley sat back like I’d struck her. “Oh, sweetie. That’s not true! You have Molly, Ilya, and me now. The girls and Kyle too, right? You have even more people in your circle when you factor in the two hockey teams.”
I sniffled, pulling my hands back. “Those guys are Ransom’s teammates. They’re just nice to me because of him.”
She shook her head. “That’s not true. Molly said they respected you at the meeting. And even if something did go wrong with Ransom, it’s temporary. Friends fight. Surely, you must have had arguments over the years. That didn’t mean it was the end, right?”
I nibbled on my lip. She had a point. “Well, yeah. Guess the longest we went without talking was about five hours before I called and yelled at him. He apologized and that was it.”
She grinned. “See? Don’t let fear get in the way of finding your happy ending.”
At the sound of the doorbell, we both stood and Kiley ushered Regina inside to the living room.
Regina Clarke was a petite powerhouse of a woman. Her presence was bold even from across the room. With her beautiful dark red hair, piercing blue eyes, and splash of freckles across her nose, I was in awe of her as she strode over to me and held out her hand.
She smiled. “Regina Clarke. You must be Phoebe.”
I forced a smile. “Phoebe Garrison. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Clarke.”
She beamed. “Call me Regina. Now, I understand you have the scoop on a really big story.”
I breathed through the panic bubbling in my belly. “It has the potential to be an explosive story.”
Her smile widened as she took a seat and pointed for me to join her. “My favorite kind. Now, sell it to me.”
I wet my lips and laid it out. “Molly Hanigan: teenage cancer survivor the world cheered for tapped to be an assistant to the Charleston Cavaliers due to her superior skills of observation and unusual motivational skills. But when she notices the tides changing in a recent game, she gets the brush off from the coach. Her words, however, did reach the players enough to make them aware of a danger and prevented potentially catastrophic injuries. Now that she knows her words really had no value to the coaching staff, nor did the coaching staff value the players, she has taken a stand and demanded from the coach to either raise her standing to someone of equal voice or she will walk away for good.”
