Page 139 of The Way I Hate Him
She chuckles. “Just go look at it.”
Confused but also intrigued, I head up the stairs to the apartment. I open the door and—oh my God.It’s spotless. Freshly painted.Pristine.
There is a new dresser to the right, next to a pink, retro mini fridge and matching microwave. A new beige and fluffy area rug covers the hardwood floors, while a soft olive green is fresh on the walls. A new bed positioned under the angled ceiling is now made up in soft white bedding, with one of Cassidy’s quilts folded on the end. Pictures of the family in black and white hang around the space, and the chair in the corner has been reupholstered.
It’s . . . gorgeous.
I can’t believe she did this.
I walk back down to the store. Once Aubree’s checked out the customers in front of her and sends them on their way, I pull my sister into a hug. “I can’t believe you did that. When did you find the time?”
“I didn’t,” she says.
“What do you mean you didn’t?”
She smirks. “Hayes has been working on it the last few days.”
I feel my stomach dip from just the sound of his name. “H-Hayes did that?”
Aubree nods and leans against the counter. “Yup. I think he likes you . . . a lot. He asked me constantly if what he was picking out would be something you’d like. He even asked for pictures of the family. Did you notice the one picture with the lyrics ofThe Reasonon it?”
“What? No.”
“I suggested that. He was hesitant at first, but he ended up doing it. Super cute.”
“So . . . he did that? For what? For me?”
She nods. “Yup. Now, I’m not saying to run over there and have his baby, but I do think there’s an opportunity there, and if you’re ready, you should at least explore it.”
“I don’t know, Aubree. I’m such a mess.”
“You are,” she says, not sugarcoating a damn thing. “But sometimes when we’re a mess, we need someone to help us clean it up. Hayes might be that person.”
I bite down on my lip, thinking about it. In all honesty, I’ve missed seeing him. I’ve missed going to his house, hearing him lightly strum his guitar in the background. I’ve missed his teasing and his interest in the little things like how to make cookies.
“I can see you’re thinking about it,” Aubree says, cutting through my thoughts. “How about this? When he was done, he begged me not to tell you he did it.”
“He did?”
She nods. “Yup, he didn’t want to take credit for it, but I don’t know, I’m feeling generous. I think he deserves the credit.”
“What am I supposed to do?” I ask.
“I think you go over there and at least talk to him. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’d be relieved to see you.” When I don’t move right away, Aubree walks up to me, takes my hand in hers, and drags me toward the door.
“What are you doing?”
“Giving you the push you need. Now get out of here.”
“Aubree, wait.” She pauses, and I turn toward her. “What is this?”
“What is what?”
“This.” I motion between us. “You’re being . . . nice.”
She looks at me confused. “Am I supposed to be mean to you?”
“When I first arrived in Almond Bay, it was almost like you couldn’t even be in the same room as me, but now you’re...well, you’re talking to me.Engaging.What’s with the change of heart?”
