I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "Wait. Zoey, what's wrong with you?"

She took in another deep breath and blew it out. "I have an autoimmune disease. Put simply, my body is attacking my kidneys and liver. My doctor said I could have twenty years or five years. They don't really know. I've been taking some experimental drugs and I haven't been sick in a long time."

"Can't they...I mean...can you get a new kidney or liver?"

She let out a throaty laugh. "I'm not a candidate for a transplant. My doctors told my parents that if I follow their directions, eat right, and stay stress free, then I'll live longer. My mother has been on me for the last few years to settle down and find someone who will make me happy...make me give up my hectic life."

My head was pounding. I stood up and began pacing.

I turned and looked at her. "Zoey, I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I wish...I mean..."

She smiled and tilted her head. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you in the first place, Cale. It was selfish of me."

I raked my hands down my face. This didn't change anything. I didn't love her. I wasn't ready to settle down. Then there was the small fact that I loved someone else.

Someone I would probably never be able to hold in my arms, let alone see again. I couldn't let Zoey live out the rest of her life with a man who didn't feel the way she did.

"Zoey, I...I don't really know how to say this without now seeming like a dick. I don't...I mean you said you loved me, but I don't love-"

Her smiled dropped and her eyes turned from sadness to anger.

She stood up. "I wasn't done, Cale. I have other news. Bigger news."

I raised my eyebrows. "What the hell could be bigger than you're sick and dying?"

She gave me the same smile she flashed when I first told her my name. There was something evil behind it.

"I'm pregnant."

I PULLED UP to JJ's Bar and Grill and parked. Monica had been talking non-stop since we left the title company, and I had the keys to my new lake house in my hand. We'd stopped by and toasted to a new life with a bottle of champagne in the living room. I was ready to put the past behind me and start a new life. I looked at Monica and smiled.

"Ready?" She asked.

I let out a giggle. "More than ready!"

We headed down the boat ramp to the restaurant. I'd gotten a text from Zoey earlier and hadn't bothered to read it before the closing. I was sick of hearing about her Prince Charming and what a great screw he was. Still, I pulled my phone out and read her text.

Zoey: Hey Maddie. I feel like we haven't seen each other in months. I want to introduce you to my guy. I've got some big news to share with you!

Me: Sorry for the late reply, Zoey. I closed on a house today.

Zoey: OMG! You bought a house? Why didn't you tell me?

I'd been finding myself keeping more and more things from Zoey. Ever since Monica and I had walked around a corner to see Zoey standing there, on that day when we were talking about Cale. Zoey claimed she'd just walked up, but Monica still swears that Zoey was eavesdropping.

Me: I wanted to make sure it all turned out okay before I said anything to anyone.

Zoey: Did Monica know?

I rolled my eyes and sighed.

Monica was smiling big as she scoped out the restaurant. "Holy shit!" she said "There are some good looking guys in here." She turned to me. "What? What's wrong? You looked stressed."

"Zoey. She just asked if you knew about me buying a house. I didn't tell her until today-I don't want to hurt her feelings."

Monica made a face and shook her head. "Who gives a fuck? I don't trust that girl. I'm telling you, Maddie. Something's up with her."

I looked at my phone and decided I wasn't going to lie to her.

Me: Yes, Monica knew. What are you up to this evening? You could stop by and we could have a little toast!

Zoey: Figures she knew and I didn't. I'm always the last to know. Not sure what I'm doing. Let me check with Mr. Hot Pants! I'm about to meet him for lunch.

I groaned and shoved my phone back into my purse. I couldn't believe how pushy Zoey was being about her relationship with this jerk. I dreaded the day I'd meet him.

"Ladies, would you like to sit out on the deck?" the hostess asked.

"Inside would be great," I replied with a smile.

As we walked to our table, I felt like someone was watching me. It was so strong that I looked over my shoulder.

Monica sat down, grabbing my arm to pull me into my seat. "What's wrong with you?"

I shook my head as I continued looking. "I don't know. I feel like someone is watching me."

"Nice, Maddie. Freak yourself out, why don't you?"

I chuckled at Monica. "I know, right? I'm going to be all alone in a giant house soon, and here I am talking about being watched."

We both started laughing. But, when I looked up, I instantly recognized the eyes staring at me. I sucked in a breath.

"Oh...my...God," I whispered.

"I know," Monica said. "I have no damn clue what to order. Everything sounds so good."

I couldn't pull my eyes away. He and I just stared at each other; neither of us could look away.

"What are you going to order, Maddie?"

His eyes were just as beautiful as I remembered. I could almost feel his lips on my skin as I smiled.

"It's him," I said.

"What? Maddie, what are you talking about?"

The way his lips curved into a smile had me pressing my legs together, longing for his touch. It didn't seem like it could have been two years ago. It seemed like it had been only moments.

"Maddie? Hello? Earth to Maddison!" Monica waved a hand in front of my face.

"It's Cale," I said. "Cale's here."

Monica turned her gaze to where I was anchored. "What? No freaking way!"

When Monica gasped and jumped up, I wanted to follow. I wanted to run into his arms, but something was holding me back. And something was holding him back, too.

"Oh perfect! He's with his little friend. And by little I mean the guy with the little-"

"Monica!" I gasped, teeth clenched. I stood up and grabbed her arm as she laughed. I turned back and noticed Jack sitting with Cale. Jack looked stunned. Almost panicky.

Cale stood, smiling wider. I couldn't hear anything other than my heart pounding.

"I knew you buying that house was a good sign," Monica whispered.

Cale was about to head our way when I saw a blonde walk up to him. His smile vanished as his gaze drifted toward her. Instantly, the warmth disappeared from his eyes.

Monica began cursing under her breath. "Oh no, she didn't," she said.

I couldn't stop watching Cale. He pulled a chair out for the girl, but kept his eyes on me.

"That little fucking bitch. I'm gonna pound her head into the ground and..."

Monica's rage pulled me out of my trance. "What?" I asked. "Who?"

"Maddie," Monica said, her eyes turning serious. "That girl with Cale is Zoey."

I gave Monica a look like she was crazy. Turning my head slowly, I finally noticed Zoey. I held onto my stomach as I sat back down. I felt like I was going to be sick.

"No. Oh, God, no," I whispered. Cale's eyes seemed so sad as he looked back at me. "I can't...I can't do this."

I pushed my chair back, reached for my purse and made for the door. Monica was right behind me.

I was breaking into a run by the time I pushed the door open. When the fresh air hit my face, I gasped for breath. My lungs felt tight. Monica placed her hand on my back, rubbing in circles.

"Take a deep breath, Maddie," she said. "In through your nose and out your mouth."

I felt tears in my eyes. Was Cale the guy Zoey couldn't shut up about?

"No," I said. "No, this is not happening. Zoey's with Cale?"

Monica's eyes were filled with pity. I couldn't stand it. "I'm going to kick her damn ass," she said. "She knew how you felt about him."

I began shaking my head. "No, she didn't know about Cale. I mean she knew, but she couldn't have known how strong my feelings were."

Monica laughed gruffly. "Please! I'm telling you she overheard us talking about him." She looked back toward the door. "You have to confront her, Maddie."

"What? Confront her with what? Tell her she's dating the guy I had a one night stand with? The guy I blew off, and then obsessed about for two years?"

Monica reached for my purse. Grabbing my phone, she pulled up Zoey's name.

"What are you doing?"

"Asking her sorry little ass."

I pulled the phone from her hand. "No!" I said. "No, I need to get out of here. I need time to think."

I'd started walking down the dock ramp to the parking lot when I heard her voice.

"Maddie? Monica? Oh my gosh!"

I stopped in my tracks.

"Aw, hell. Here we go." Monica said. I gave her a look.

"Don't say a word," I whispered, looking at Zoey.

"Hey stranger," I said, my voice cracking.

Zoey sauntered toward us. She didn't look good at all. Her face was pale and she looked like she'd lost more weight. "Zoey, are you feeling okay?" I asked.

She smiled slightly and nodded. "What are you two doing here?" Her body was tense. She didn't seem at all happy to see us.

"Oh, um...we just left the title company and were heading here for lunch and..."

Her smile faded before she forced it back onto her face. "Wait, you bought a house here? On Beaver Lake?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I did."

"I see. Well, nothing like being the last to know," Zoey said, glaring at Monica.

Monica grinned. "Oh, you're not the last. Her parents don't know yet."

I closed my eyes and attempted to regulate my breathing before opening them again.

Zoey gave Monica a dirty look before grabbing my hands. "I'm so happy for you, sweetheart!" she said, plastering on that fake smile. "Anyway, my boyfriend is here and I'd love for you to meet him. I have some rather big news myself!"

Panic set in. "Well, um...we were just leaving. I forgot I had to...I um...I need to go buy..."

Monica yelled out, "Laundry detergent!"

I snapped my head over to give Monica a wide-eyed glare.

Zoey laughed. "Laundry can wait. Come on, I want to introduce you both to my guy."

She pulled me back into the restaurant. I looked over my shoulder and mouthed, "Laundry soap?" at Monica. She just shrugged.

Before I knew it I was walking up to Zoey's table. Cale leapt up to greet me.

Zoey stopped and gave me a smile I'd never seen before. She almost seemed...pleased with herself. "Cale," she said, "this is my dearest friend, Maddie Powers. Maddie, this is my boyfriend, Cale Blackwood."