Page 166 of Untying the Knot
She releases me and says, “What’s the point of dating anyone if they’re not willing to slash some things on your behalf?”
“No point at all.”
ChapterTwenty-One
MYLA
Present day . . .
Nichole:How’s it going?
I stare down at where Ryot’s head is resting on my lap, and I stroke his hair before texting Nichole back.
Myla:Currently poolside, under a rented cabana, and lounging on one of those oversized loungers while Ryot takes a nap on my lap. So . . . pretty good and, before you get all crazy with questions, we’re just taking it one moment at a time.
Nichole:One moment at a time. I think that’s smart, but set that aside and tell me how you really feel.
Of course, Nichole wouldn’t let me get away with an answer like that. It was worth the try, though.
Myla:I’m just enjoying being near him again, the Ryot I fell in love with many years ago. We’ve had some intense conversations. They haven’t fixed anything, but they’ve helped us open up, and I think that’s what we’ve been missing.
Nichole:From what I’ve seen, it’s easy to become complacent and skip over those hard conversations, even in friendships like ours. I’m glad you’re getting time to talk to him.
I drag my hand over his hair and sigh. I feel the need to keep him close, to keep touching him, because, at the end of this, I’m not sure what will happen. I can only hope that I’m not hurt again.
Myla:Tomorrow is the wedding, and then after that, we leave, so it’s only two more days. I’m getting nervous.
Nichole:Do you know what you’re going to do?
Myla:No idea, but I’m sort of leaning toward working things out with him.
Nichole:Good.
Myla:Good? You make it seem like this is what you want.
Nichole:I do want this for you. I’ve never forgotten how fiercely Ryot fought for you. He fought your mom. He fought me. That’s not someone you let go of. And...I want someone to be there for you.
I stare down at her text, slightly confused, my anxiety gearing up. When I decided to file for divorce, she said she’d be there for me, that she’d bring me back to Chicago and figure everything out. So why is she glad that we might work things out now?
Myla:You’re not telling me something.
Nichole:You just have fun and figure this out. Okay?
Now I sit up taller, disturbing Ryot from his slumber. I pull up her number and call her, but she doesn’t answer. I get her voicemail, so I try calling again. When I’m sent straight to voicemail, I get a text from her.
Nichole:Calm down. No news. I’m just . . . covering all my bases in case something comes back not in my favor.
Myla:Don’t talk like that.
Nichole:Being realistic. But I must get to this meeting. Love you. Don’t focus on me. Focus on yourself, and when I hear something, I promise I’ll let you know.
Myla:Okay. Love you.
“Everything okay?” Ryot asks, still lying on my lap.
I set my phone down, and I stroke his cheek, his scruff feeling like sandpaper on my finger. “Yeah, just had a scare from Nichole for a second. She’s fine. No news yet.”
“Okay.” He turns his body to face me and then slips his hand against the underpart of my legs. “Thank you for letting me take a nap.”
