The Risks We Take Duet Box Set

42. Carys

CARYS

“ T he universe really is a fickle bitch with a fucked up sense of humor. You and I both know that.” Chloe’s FaceTiming me to make sure I like the new idea she came up with for a swimwear line she wants to get into production next week.

“Physically, I feel great. It’s just my heart that hurts.” I haven’t had a flare-up in a few weeks. No fever. No headache. I’ve even started running again. Okay, so I’m not pushing myself as hard as I used to when I was training for a marathon, but a few miles a day a few times a week has me feeling more like myself than I have in months.

My career is starting to explode in front of me. The path is wide-open and blue-skied. Stone’s girlfriend bought a few shirts from me a few months ago and wore them during the filming of her show. A realtor asked where she got one of them, and she dropped Le Désir’s name. And holy moly, Chloe and I blew up. We were trending online the other day. Trending . All of a sudden, our little two-person company has more business than we can handle. Chloe started looking for a company to partner with to outsource our manufacturing, so we can increase production and continue to meet our demand. It’s insane and so exciting.

“Have you made a decision about the fall semester yet?” She picks up a swatch of bright-red fabric and pairs it with another one that’s hot pink, and I shake my head no.

“Yeah, I have. I’m going to take the fall semester off and stay in Kroydon Hills. Any chance I can crash with you? I really don’t want to move back in with Mom and Coach.” My eyes go wide, and I smile when she pairs the red with a black accent. “That one. That’s perfect.”

Chloe drapes them both over her dress form and pushes the others to the side. “Of course you can stay with me. I’ve got an extra room.”

“Love you, Chloe. Thank you.”

“Stop. If you want emotions, talk to Nattie or Belles. If you want brutal honesty, I’m your girl.” She sits down at her sewing machine and props the phone up. “And in the vein of brutal honesty... are you seriously not going to talk to him before Murphy’s wedding?”

I lie back on my bed and hold the phone above my face. “Talk to who?”

“Don’t play dumb, Carys. I’m better at it than you. You still haven’t talked to Cooper, have you?” Chloe has already told me she doesn’t agree with my decisions. She understands them but thinks it’s the wrong move.

“Nope. They got home from their op last week. I haven’t seen him yet.” I don’t mention that he texted me, telling me he was home and safe. I didn’t answer, but I did add a little heart to his message. “I’m not ready, Chloe. If I talk to him now, I’ll give in. I know I will.”

“Maybe you should give in.”

I groan. “I can’t.” There’s a knock on my door, then Em’s head pops in. “I gotta go, Chloe. I’ll see you in Hawaii in a week.”

“Yup. See you soon.” We end our Facetime, and I sit up as Emerson walks in. Her tiny baby bump is on display in her tight-black tank top and yoga pants, and her skin is glowing, actually glowing as the late day sun streams in through my windows.

“Jack’s ordering dinner. Are you in the mood for pizza?” She sits down next to me.

“I can always do pizza. Pineapple, please,” I lean my head on her shoulder and plead.

She scrunches her face up in disgust. “You’re gross.” She shoulders me away, then adds, “But of course, we’ll order your pizza.”

“Thank you.” I smile, knowing how much I’m going to miss her. “How did the apartment hunt go earlier? Did you and Linc find anything yet?”

“Ugh. He’s driving me crazy. They’re leaving in July for six months, so he wants me to stay here with Jack and Theo until they come home. He hates the idea of me being alone when the baby comes.” I wonder if she even realizes the way her hand possessively moves to her belly while she’s talking.

“He’s not wrong, Em. They could be helpful.” The look Emerson gives me leaves no doubt how stupid I sound. “Okay, so maybe not really helpful. But to at least have another set of hands. I mean, it couldn’t hurt.”

“I want my own place, CC. I don’t want to bring a new baby home from the hospital to a house I share with my brother’s band.”

“Has Lucas agreed to take my room?” She nods. “Well, that didn’t take long.” I only told them a few days ago I wasn’t coming back for the fall.

She stands and offers me her hands, then tugs me up. “I’m going to miss you, CC.”

I hug her tightly. “You could always come stay in Kroydon Hills. At least until Linc comes home.”

“Or you could just not leave.”

We’ve been over this already, and all it does is make us both sad.

“Come on. Let’s go make Jack order your gross pizza. I think I want a greasy sandwich. Like a cheesesteak.” She rubs her belly again. “What do you think, my little bean? Does that sound good?”

I lay my hand over hers. “One day, beanie, you’re going to visit Auntie Carys in Philadelphia, and I’ll show you what a cheese steak really is.”

“I’m losing you to a sandwich.”

We walk through my door and stop at the top of the steps. “You’re not losing me, Em. But I need to do this.”

“I know. Just don’t forget about us.” She walks downstairs.

I whisper, “Never.”