They were supposed to be your vows. Not promises to someone whose life was cut short.”
“Kennedy…”
“You can’t just go through the rest of your life missing her. Keeping her a secret from one of your good friends? Pretending she didn’t exist, yet letting her death dictate everything you do? Matt, that’s not living.”
She didn’t have to tell me that. I knew it wasn’t living. Because I was fucking drowning. “And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Like I’m sure you overheard Penny say in the kitchen. You don’t have a ring on your finger.”
“I’ve been focused on growing my business.”
“Taking pictures?”
She frowned. “I’m a professional photographer, Matt. I’m taking these photos because I have a very lucrative partnership with one of the top real estate firms in the city. I own my own company and it’s doing great, for the record. And I won’t let people like you look at me like I’m nothing anymore.” She sat up and shoved the ice at me.
“Kennedy, I didn’t…”
“Yes you did. I’m not the same poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks that you had to hang out with just because I was friends with Brooklyn.” She pulled on one of her boots. Boots that I hadn’t noticed before had royal blue soles. They were Odegaards. And anyone that could afford $3,000 Odegaards was pretty well off.
“Hey.” I grabbed her hand. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I really didn’t. I used the wrong term. I meant photographer. You followed your passion. I think that’s amazing.”
“Really?” Her eyes softened.
“Yes, really. You went out and did your own thing. And you’re clearly killing it.”
She smiled. “I’m sorry I got so defensive. I think maybe I still have a little chip on my shoulder from going to Empire High. Especially being back in the city after all this time. I almost feel like the old me, if that makes any sense. And I’ve tried so hard to leave that person behind.”
I couldn’t help the corners of my mouth rising. “I always liked that person.”
Her face flushed.
“When did you move back to the city?” I asked.
“A few weeks ago. I’ve been wanting to expand my business for a while and there’s just more opportunities here. I tried my best to stay away. But then there was this vacancy in the perfect location in Manhattan for my offices. I couldn’t say no.”
“Are you living in Manhattan too?”
“Actually, I moved in with my mom temporarily. Just until I have time to search for a new place.”
That explained the delicious smell of empanadas. “How is your mom?”
“The same.” Kennedy smiled. “It’s so weird being home and having to live with her rules again.” She laughed.
“I bet.”
“She treats me like I’m still a kid. I could really use a night out.”
Was she asking me to ask her out? I didn’t know what to say. I was drawn to her, that was undeniable. But I think it had more to do with our shared past. I couldn’t deny that she was attractive though. She had all the same beauty she did when she was younger, but her curves had filled out. In any other circumstance, she’d be someone I’d hit on. But she was Kennedy. My fiancée’s best friend. She was older, sure. But she was still just as off-limits.
“Do you know the weirdest part about being back here?” Kennedy asked.
I shook my head.
“Every now and then, I see a blonde walking on the street and I completely freeze, thinking it’s her. I so badly wish it was her. But it never is.” Kennedy sighed. “It was easier to be off somewhere I never knew her, you know? God, I can’t even imagine if she was still alive after all this time? What I would say to her? Honestly, I’d be so pissed. I’d probably curse up a storm and make my mom furious.” She laughed. “Pull out a few of my favorite Spanish expletives.”
“Sounds about right.” I never let my mind venture there. To the possibility of Brooklyn still being alive. Not after all the private investigators I’d hired came back without any information. She was gone. Brooklyn was dead.
“So what have you been up to all these years?”
“Taking over MAC International.”
“Really?” She smiled. “I know you wanted that. Wasn’t Mason supposed to take over though?”
“He followed his passion, just like you did. He started his own marketing firm. With his wife, actually.”
“That’s amazing. But you followed your passion too, right? Isn’t running that company what you always wanted?”