She sits up beside me. “I know, but you and Reeve have a shit ton of history Alex and I don’t. That’s a big difference too.” She scrubs her hands down her face. “Ugh. I’m not explaining this right.” She turns her head to the side so we’re looking at one another. “Maybe things are completely over between you two, or maybe they’re not. But you’re here now. In a gorgeous place. You’ve made new friends. Found a new scene. And you’re glowing, babe. You’re turning a corner, and I think you should make the most of every opportunity.”
“You think I should get with Dillon?”
“I think you should do whatever you feel like doing. You have no ties, no responsibilities, no shithead paparazzi trailing your every move. You’re young, free, and single, and you can do whatever you want, do whomever you want,” she adds with a naughty glint in her eye.
“One part of me wants to do it, because I know it’s the first step in truly moving on, but another part of me is sick at the thought of sleeping with anyone else.” I bark out a bitter laugh. “It’s ridiculous, right?”
She vigorously shakes her head. “No. Not at all. I can relate, but here’s the thing. I didn’t start properly moving on untilafterI started dating again. Look at it this way,” she adds, pulling her knees into her chest. “Being with someone else is either going to help you to move on or confirm that things with Reeve aren’t fully reconciled.”
“What if I’m not ready to face that truth yet?” I whisper.
“Then you’re not ready.” She shrugs. “There’s no rule book for this. Just do what feels right. What makes you happy. But promise me you’ll try.”
“I am trying.”
“I’m proud of you, Viv, and I hope you’re proud of yourself too. You are stronger than most people I know. To come here after what happened and to pick up the pieces and start over in a new place is huge. Not many people could do it.”
“Heartache is a strong motivator. I’m not going to let what happened define who I am for the rest of my life. And no guy is going to determine how I live my life.”
“Atta girl.” She yanks me into another hug. “Now, let’s get up. We’ve got a parade to see.”