His expression softens a little. “You’re better off without that motherfucker. Or, you know, maid-of-honor-fucker.”
I smile sadly. “You saw through Dane from the beginning, didn’t you?”
Chris nods. “I probably should have said something sooner, but the truth is I just assumed you’d realize what a scumbag he was and end things before I ever needed to say anything. And then it just got to be too late to butt in.”
“Well, you severely overestimated how smart I am.”
He shakes his head. “You were in love.”
“I thought I was,” I correct. “Not sure if that’s the same thing.”
“Either way, you figured it out before you walked down the aisle. I know that doesn’t sound like much of a consolation—”
“Actually, it does,” I say. “The timing was… uncomfortable, to say the least. But at least I don’t have to deal with a messy divorce. It’s cleaner this way.”
Chris nods. “Can’t argue with that.”
“I never did apologize to you,” I say quietly.
“Jess…”
“No, I’m serious,” I say, holding up my hand. “I need to get this out. Back when we got engaged, I was really upset at the way you reacted. And I said some things.”
He shrugs and runs his fingers through his hair. “You were hurt.”
“I was wrong,” I say firmly. “I should have listened to you.”
He waves his hand dismissively. “Water under the bridge.”
“You really forgive me?”
“Of course.”
“Even after all the months of silence?” I ask. “The fact that I didn’t even invite you to the wedding?”
“All of it,” Chris says confidently.
I shake my head. “You’re a better person than me, Chris Eckhart. I don’t think I could forgive a friend who treated me the way I treated you.”
“Yes, you could. And you wanna know why?”
“Why?”
“Because our friendship is real, Jessa. It’s not that bogus shit you had with Salma.”
I nod, barely holding tears at bay. “She was just a place-filler, you know. Because I couldn’t have you there.”
I walk forward and force a hug on him. He stiffens for a moment before he wraps his arms around me and hugs me back.
“I… I really wish you’d just stay,” he murmurs into my ear.
“I’ve disrupted your life for long enough,” I insist. “I can’t hide out here forever. And anyway, I don’t want you involved any more than you have to be. It’s bad enough I’m stashing the phone here with you.”
Chris presses the phone to his chest. “I’ll keep it safe.”
“I have no doubt,” I tell him, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks for everything, Chris.”
“Anytime. You know that.”