In many ways, she regretted that relationship the moment it began. They’d hooked up after a party at Troy’s place. Ethan said all the right things and seduced Elle with compliments. And as she had in the past, even though she wasn’t quite aware of it, Elle sought Troy’s attention in all the wrong ways. She’d spent years regretting her behavior at the campsite, knowing Troy was all-in. He wanted her, and not just for a measly hookup in a tent. He wanted a relationship with her. Which is what she thought she wanted, too.
After five years, however, she and Troy were still just friends. Close ones, yes, but friends just the same, and Elle was getting restless. So she and Ethan dated casually for six weeks. She’d ended it over a cup of coffee that morning. Ethan was, as predicted, not the least bit upset. Neither of them had gone into it with any sort of grand expectation. But he’d said something that morning. Something Elle couldn’t get off her mind. And after three beers, she was finally ready to talk about it.
“Ethan said something this morning.” She placed her beer on the coaster, wiping the back of her mouth with her hand.
Troy sighed. “I thought you were fine. Why are you bringing him up again, Rigby? He’s a douche.”
“He’s your friend.”
“Yeah, but he’s a douche. He doesn’t deserve you.” Troy’s eyebrows pulled in tight and a little crease formed above his nose.
“You’re cute when you do that,” she slurred.
“Okay, you’re cut off.”
Elle slid from her barstool and stood next to Troy. “I’m serious. I love that you look out for me.”
Troy’s expression softened. “I always will, you know that.”
“I do.” She looked down; her ballet flats were sticking to the beer on the floor. “But he said something . . . and I want to know what you think about it.”
“Okay, fine. Hit me.” Troy took another swig of his beer, placing it back on the coaster before him, before turning to Elle, giving her his full attention.
“Ethan thinks . . .” She was losing her nerve. Without thinking, she grabbed her beer and chugged. She downed the amber liquid until her pint glass was empty but for a few lone suds at the bottom.
“Whoa, must be serious.”
“He thinks I’m in love with you,” she blurted out, swallowing hard as she stared at Troy. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped slightly. He stared at her lips, then looked to her nose, her cheeks, her eyes.
“And?”
Despite the look of surprise, Elle could also see his muscles tighten, as if he was bracing himself for disappointment. And she knew, she knew she’d been playing games with him for far too long. It was time to grow up—to face her feelings for him, to give herself a real chance at happiness with Troy Saladino.
“And I think he’s right.”
Troy nodded, swallowed hard, and lifted his glass to his lips, draining the beer just as Elle had done. He then turned his body and flagged down the bartender, tapping his glass to ask for a refill on his beer. Still, he said nothing as he angled himself back toward Elle. Tears formed in her eyes as she wondered if she was too late. If Troy had given up on her long ago, outside of that tent.
“And tomorrow?” Troy asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, tomorrow, when your buzz is gone, what will your answer be? No more games, Rigby, I’m serious.” His pupils widened as he glared at her.
Elle placed her fingers in Troy’s short hair, running them through slowly as she gazed into his pained eyes. She knew that, yes, the beer had given her liquid courage. But she’d felt this way for years; she just hadn’t been ready to face it.
“It’s been years, Troy. Years. Tomorrow will be just another day on the calendar. Another day I’ve loved you. Buzz, no buzz. It doesn’t matter. It’s the truth and I’m finally ready for you to hear it.” She grabbed her empty glass. “I just needed this to give me the guts.”
Troy took her hand in his and she looked down at his fingertips stroking her skin. When she raised her attention back to his face, she couldn’t read his expression. Relief? Love? Confusion?
“And you? How do you feel?”
Troy squeezed her hand. “You know how I feel.”
“Show me.” Elle tilted her chin up, challenging him to kiss her. Troy abandoned his barstool and stood, placing his hand behind her neck and pulling