“And occasionally, give fashion tips.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I laugh and set down my drink. “But I’m more interested in boy-advice than fashion at the moment.”
“Have you heard from Oliver since he left?”
I shake my head. “No. And I don’t think I will. Ollie isn’t the type to change his mind or circle back. He’s the quintessential businessman — by now, he’s already assessed the pros and cons, accepted the cause as lost, and moved into damage-control mode.”
“This is why we don’t date businessmen!” Odette gulps her margarita. “So boring. So predictable. So entirelyrepressed.”
“That’s also why we don’t date virgins,” Ophelia mutters lowly. “Good riddance, as far as I’m concerned. He can take his four-carat diamond and shove it up his own ass. It’ll be the most action he sees for a while.”
I roll my eyes. “His problem isn’t his commitment to celibacy. His problem is his commitment to my parents, above everything — even me.”
“You weresoright to kick him to the curb.”
“You deserve a guy who’ll put you first, Jo!”
“Thanks, guys. I appreciate that.”
Ophelia makes a drum-roll with her hands on the beach towel. “And behind door number two, we have another bachelor contending for our heroine’s heart….”
Odette cups her hands around her mouth and mimics the sing-song tones of a television game-show host. “Arrrrrrcher Reyessssss!”
“Hilarious,” I mutter, reaching for the pitcher and topping off my glass with another serving of watery margarita. “Really, you guys should do a stand-up routine.”
“Oh, come on! We’re just teasing.”
“You always get so serious when the conversation shifts to him.”
“Because…” I gulp my drink and settle back on my chaise lounger. The sun is so hot, sweat is beading against my brow. “I don’t know how to speak casually when it comes to Archer. Nothing about our relationship is casual. It’s one big, complicated mess.”
“What’s so complicated?” Ophelia asks. “He told you he loves you!”
“He explained why he pushed you away last summer!” Odette chimes in. “And, honestly, it’s a pretty good reason. Your parents…Wow. I thought ours were controlling, but I have a whole new appreciation for them after hearing what yours pulled on you.”
“Why do you think I’m so torn up about this? My family destroyed his life. He’s spent the past year suffering… all alone… because of me.”
“Because of your parents! Not because of you.”
“Logically, I know that’s true. But emotionally…” My eyes are stinging. I blame the bright sunshine overhead. “How can we have any sort of shot at a future together, with such a heavy past tied around our ankles? We don’t stand a chance.”
“First of all, you don’t know that.” Ophelia glares at me. “Second of all, you owe it to him — to yourself — to try. After all this time, all this suffering… All this pining for one another…”
“Serious pining,” Odette confirms.
“You can’t just let him walk out of your life again. You’ll regret it forever.”
“What if he doesn’t want to see me?”
“Why would you think that?” They both look confused.
“He knows where I live. He hasn’t come. If he wanted to talk to me, he would.”
They trade a glance. “Jo, honey… we hate to break this to you, but you’re going to have to be the one to reach out this time.”
“Me?”
“You.” Odette is nodding vigorously. “The guy poured his heart out to you and you just…”