Page 47 of Sloane

“I’m not worried.”

But even if I didn’t have the car keys, I wouldn’t have been concerned. At least not about her leaving. About people being assholes to her—yes. But I knew she was in good hands while I was gone.

****

Ashley

Okay, never mind. I’m glad I wasn’t the target of mean girls in high school. Being ignored was far more preferable.

While I appreciated everyone having my back, part of me wished I’d been confident enough to stand up for myself. Then again, what would have been the point?

The guy at the bar was drunk, so anything I said to him would have just escalated the situation. Besides, the bartender swooped in and dealt with it. He apologized profusely for the dude’s comments and even gave Tammy her drink for free.

And Sara obviously was just jealous and trying to make me feel bad about myself. She might have behaved like that no matter if I’d been as beautiful as Nicole.

Speaking of Nicole… I noticed her approach Sloane as he sat talking with his friends by the pool tables. She reached out to touch his chest, but he grabbed her wrist and shook his head no.

A few more words were exchanged before she tossed her hair over her shoulder and stormed off.

I wondered if that was a regular occurrence for him. I knew from his letters that he’d never had a serious girlfriend, so I assumed he’d been quite the ladies’ man. Apparently, the ladies overlapped when he went out.

He didn’t seem fazed by it, so I suspected this wasn’t the first time more than one woman had been vying for his attention while he was out with another.

The thought of ever being one of the women competing for his affection made me queasy. I hoped if I were ever in that position, I’d have enough self-respect not to participate.

I was curious how he felt about it. On some level, it had to feed his ego. Yet, I hadn’t really seen that side of him—either in person or through his letters. He always came across as humble. Even though he was probably the most gorgeous man in the bar.

Tammy, Maddie, and Grace were having a spirited conversation with the guys about men truly not thinking about anything when they’re sitting in silence.

“How is that even possible?” Maddie demanded.

“Trust me, it’s possible and happens all the time,” Ryan replied.

“So, when you ask me what I’m thinking about, and I tell you nothing, I’m not lying,” Craig told her.

Maddie narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t think I believe you.”

“We’re really not that complex,” Ryan told her.

“Well, that, I believe.”

I loved how Maddie and Grace had included me and my BFF in their circle without hesitation. They were around my age, and even though they were clearly best friends, had made me and Tammy feel like we were part of the group. I appreciated that. I could see us hanging out with them in the future doing girls’ nights or just going to lunch.

I also loved how Craig doted on Maddie. Ryan would try with Grace, and it seemed her first instinct was to let him, then her brain would catch up, and she’d correct herself.

I had no doubt they would be good together. I just hoped Ryan didn’t give up before Grace agreed to date him.

“So, tomorrow…” Ryan started.

“Yeah, what’s the plan?” Craig asked.

“I thought we could hang out at my place. Put some burgers and dogs on the grill, watch some college football… Maybe play some cards.”

“That sounds fun. What time?”

Ryan face split into a big grin at Grace’s question.

“Whatever time works for you.”

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