“Aww. Do you think the next guy you fall for will be enough? It’s hard enough sometimes living up to your new love’s ex but one that has died…”
“I’m not worried. I love Jace but I don’t want a replica. There is no replacing him. It’ll be different but equally as good.” I hope. Honestly, that terrified me. What if I never felt that in love again? I’d have to live the rest of my life knowing my one big love had come and gone and all I had left was consolation love. That sucked on so many levels, especially for the guy. “Is it weird talking about this stuff?”
She laid her head back, tilting it towards me. “Not at all. Why would it be?”
“You’re sitting there, listening to me tell you I’ll love my next… love the same amount as your brother.” Didn’t she feel some sort of loyalty to Jace where she didn’t want me to love anyone as much as him?
“Don’t be silly. You’re like a sister and thank God I have you because I’m left with Logan!”
“You love Logan.”
“Of course I do but brothers are a pain in the neck.”
I wouldn’t know being an only child and all.
Our feet were removed from the spa and the pedicure commenced. It was so nice to be pampered. I hadn’t been to a spa since before Jace died.
“I worry about Logan,” I said.
“That makes two of us but he’s getting there, Chlo.”
He was but sometimes his eyes would drift and he’d get a look of pure agony in his eyes and I had no idea where he was in those moments. I cared about him too much to let him drown in grief, guilt or whisky.
“Yeah, I just wish he’d open up more. All he really says is that he feels guilty over the argument with Jace and that I’m doing fine, sweetheart.”
“He’s a guy.”
“Not a good enough excuse for me. I might have to organise an intervention.”
She laughed, picking out a striking orange nail polish for her fingers and toes. “He’ll probably just laugh his way through that. Seriously, don’t stress over it. He’s alright.”
“He’s holding something back.”
“Isn’t he allowed his secrets?”
“No.”
Laughing again, she shook her head. “You two are like an old married couple.”
I frowned and bit my lip. We were, I suppose, we bickered and leaned on each other when we needed to – although that was more one-sided thanks to Mr I’m Fine, Sweetheart.
“I guess we are.”
That felt weird. Logan, along with Cass and Nell, was my best friend, the person I went to first, so to think we were like a married couple was strange. Not to mention the fact that he was Jace’s brother.
“Poor you!” she said. “Hey, at least I’ll still get you as a sister-in-law, huh?” Her face fell with mine. “’Cause that’s not weird at all.”
“Yeah, little too close to home I think.”
“Hmm…” She looked at me for a second too long and I had no idea what was going on in that blonde head of hers. “Anyway, what colour are you getting? I’m going for this bright orange for the almost beginning of summer.”
“Candy pink,” I replied. Not a colour I’d worn much in the last few years but things were looking up and I was feeling more and more like the colourful Chloe I missed.
“Will it go with your outfit for your date?”
“Yep, wearing a white sundress.”
“Cute.”
I winced. “I hope so.”
Chapter Seven
Chloe
Thankfully, Mum and Dad were out when Rhys rang the doorbell. I was nervous enough as it was and did not want to deal with Dad’s cold, hard stare at the poor boy. Rhys was the first person I’d be going on a date with since Jace and I still felt a little bit odd about it. But I was determined to give it a try because he was nice and I wanted to see if it could go anywhere. Opening the front door, I did a double take. “Logan,” I said, a little dazed. “What’re you doing here?” He was supposed to be Rhys.
“You said your parents were out.”
“Yes, but I’m often in the house alone, you know, since I’m twenty and all.”
“I remember your age, sweetheart.”
Groaning, I stepped back so he could come in. “You’re here to do the stare at Rhys, aren’t you?”
“Bingo. I spoke to your dad.” Of course, he did. Sodding men. “You look good, Chlo, you should change.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Logan, I’m not changing so you should just leave.”
“Do you have anything with a high neck?” he asked, ignoring my question and heading for the stairs.
“Where are you going?”
He looked over his shoulder as he walked up the stairs. “Come on, you can’t get changed from there.”
Following, I shouted, “I am not changing.” Jesus, he was acting as if I had on a transparent tutu and Basque. “Logan Michael Scott!”
“If you think using my full name is stopping me finding you a snow suit you’re sadly mistaken.”
He was rummaging in my wardrobe when I stomped into my room. I stood still for a few seconds, trying to work out if this was actually happening. Logan had his head in my clothes.
“Okay, what the fuck?” I snapped.
“He’s going to want to get in your pants.”