Page 145 of Stupid Matchmaking Love

What!!!!! Are you at home? I’m coming over with a gallon of Blue Bell and everything we need for sundaes.

Rowe’s response appears on screen. ​​Oh, Cristina. I’m so sorry! I’ll be right over, and Coco, don’t forget the nuts.​​

​​I’m on it​​, Coco replies. ​​I’ll be there in 30 minutes, coming in hot! ​​

A brief smile flits across my face. My friends don’t think I’m too much. They think I’m just right.

When the doorbell rings, Coco and Rowe are together, each holding a grocery bag.

“I thought you might want a chocolate sundae,” Coco says, lifting her sack. “So I got two gallons of ice cream.”

“You’re the best,” I say, hugging her and then Rowe. “Thank you for coming.”

“I know I’m related to Rhett by marriage,” Rowe says, “but I can cut him out of my family if need be.”

My heart squeezes, but I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that.”

Coco drops the bag onto the kitchen counter and picks up a knife. “I can shiv a bitch.”

A laugh bursts from my mouth. “No shivving allowed.”

“Damn.” Coco rubs her hands together. “Let’s make some sundaes and rent a movie.”

They don’t ask what happened as we make sundaes, and I don’t say anything until I’ve got a bowl piled high with vanilla and chocolate ice creams drizzled with butterscotch and caramel sauce, topped with whipped cream, nuts, and a side of banana.

You know what they say: Go big or cry trying.

“So . . .” Rowe says when we’re seated and Coco is searching for Legally Blonde. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I exhale a staggered breath. “Rhett said that when I passed out, he had a flashback of when his sister died. He almost didn’t let the paramedics work on me. He froze.”

Coco stops scrolling and lets out a low whistle. “Oh, that’s bad, but let me tell you: In the waiting room, that man was so worried. So if he tried to say he doesn’t love you, he’s lying and I’ll cut his nuts off. Or better yet, I’ll spell him. Remember what I did to Stone? I’ll give him amnesia, but this time I won’t cure it.”

I snigger. “We can’t do that again.”

“That’s questionable.”

I wipe tears of laughter from my eyes. “Anyway, Rhett said he was afraid if I had another attack, he might freeze again, or worse.”

Rowe whimpers sympathetically. “You know, I always thought being soulmates would be enough in a relationship, but maybe it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

“Yeah,” Coco adds. “Maybe it’s not enough to be soulmates.”

“Maybe the timing has to be right?” I ask.

Rowe licks her spoon. “Timing and the willingness to be vulnerable. Just because Rhett wasn’t vulnerable yesterday doesn’t mean he won’t change his mind.”

I doubt it.

Tears stream down my face now, and I don’t bother wiping them. “I thought broken people could at least hold each other while they healed.”

“I’m so sorry, Cris.” Rowe takes my hand and squeezes. “I knew he couldn’t have ended things because he doesn’t love you.”

“No, it’s worse. He loves me too much.”

“Cristina,” Coco says quietly, “he’s a fool for letting you go. I even spotted a hashtag or two about y’all: couplesgoals. If that man’s going to let the best thing in his life just walk out, then he deserves to be alone.”

Rowe says, “Maybe Rhett just needs time. Some people have to heal alone before they can heal with someone. It sucks, but maybe that’s what Rhett needs.”