Page 56 of Sloane

“Aw shit. He’s got the zoomies,” Ryan commented and directed Craig, “quick, open the slider!”

No sooner had Craig opened the door than Tank raced past him into the backyard, and Ryan’s little brother appeared in the family room doorway.

Tammy was occupied looking out the window as Tank tore around the yard and hadn’t noticed Josh yet. Meanwhile, I wrung a napkin in my lap as I waited for her to recognize her high school nemesis.

“Hey, man! Good to see you!” Josh told Sloane as he went in for a hug.

“You, too!”

Everyone watched Tank run back in the house, make a lap around the coffee table in the family room, then fly back out the door.

Sloane turned to Josh. “Apparently my dog has grown pretty fond of you. I didn’t even warrant the zoomies when I got here.”

“I think he’s overwhelmed that all his favorite people are in one place,” Ryan offered.

This time Tank came back inside at a trot and immediately headed toward where Josh and Sloane stood. I was relieved the dog sat at Sloane’s feet, his tail wagging a mile a minute.

I could tell when Tammy recognized Josh, because her body went rigid, and she let out a tiny gasp that I only heard because I was sitting next to her.

Seconds later, Josh recognized Tammy and me because his eyebrows went into his hairline, and he asked incredulously, “Lily? Ashley? What are you ladies doing here?”

“It’s Tammy,” my BFF corrected him with an icy tone.

Josh knew her name, but since her last name was White, he’d always called her Lily to tease her because he said she was so innocent and pure.

He shrugged with a soft smile. “You still look like a Lily to me.”

My friend scowled but didn’t say anything else, so Josh continued, “But, what are you do—”

Sloane interrupted him. “Ashley and I are… friends.”

He’d introduced me as his girlfriend last night and at the time, I’d wondered if he’d just said it to needle Sara. But now that there wasn’t a mean girl in sight, he hadn’t said it again.

I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

Josh turned to Sloane with a grin. “No shit? How did you guys meet?”

“We—"

“They’re pen pals,” Maddie interjected, then looked at Sloane with wide eyes when she realized she’d answered for him. “Sorry! I just love your guys’ story.” She made a rolling gesture with her hand. “Please, go on.”

The corner of Sloane’s mouth turned up, revealing his dimple that I wanted to kiss every time it appeared.

“Thank you.” Turning back to Josh he continued. “Ash is part of Military Angels and was assigned to be my pen pal while I’m in the Middle East. We just clicked and decided to hang out while I’m home this weekend.”

So, we were hanging out.

Good to know.

****

Sloane

I looked around the room and felt nothing but contentment. For once, I didn’t envy other couples nor, as I had on a few occasions, count my lucky stars I wasn’t attached to someone. The gorgeous brunette sitting at the table made me feel complete.

I knew I should be gently applying the brakes; we only had one more full day together, and it wasn’t fair to ask for anything more from her once I left. But I couldn’t seem to find the resolve to do anything but lose myself in her.

Everything about her made me happy. She fucking smelled just like her letters, which was awesome. She was so beautiful and soft that my fingers twitched with the need to touch her. And being inside her had felt like heaven, and I couldn’t wait to be there again.

---