Page 33 of Forever Home

“Yes, it was okay. Nothing exciting. Just work.”

Once we’re settled at a table, I quiz Sam. I know she’s lying just by the shifty way in which she’s acting. Not to mention the lack of eye contact.

“Come on, I know you were back in Chicago at the same time Asher was, and that your company did the event planning for his launch,” I say with a smile, trying to get the juicy details of what’s going on between Sam and Asher. “I think I’ve been more than patient with you, so spill.”

There is something going on with them. Something that Sam is hiding details on, and though it’s been years since we really got together. It’s still code not to keep those kind of secret’s from each other.

“Shhhh,” Sam says, glancing around. “Madi, this is a small town. The walls have Goddamn ears around here. Keep it down.”

“I agree with Madi, we need all the deets,” Kylie pushes before taking a bite of her coffee crumble. “You guys must have crossed paths there.”

“Crossed paths, mouths, pelvises…” I add dreamily.

“Jesus, Madi,” Sam replies, running a hand over her face. “Please don’t corrupt sweet Kylie.”

Kylie shakes her head in denial. “She’s not doing anything. I’m totally invested in this love story.”

I can’t help but snort at Kylie’s comment. “Fuck if it isn’t. I’m living vicariously through you, Sam, so bitch you better make a love story happen. Kylie and I are on a serious dry spell here, and we need a little pick me up.”

“Speak for yourself,” Kylie mutters slyly, and we both look at her in shock before she covers her mouth, as if she didn’t intend for us to hear that.

“Oh, no. I need to hear this,” Sam speaks up, trying to divert the attention from herself. But unfortunately, Kylie shakes her head. A smirk lines her face as she raises a brow towards Sam.

“You tell me yours,” she sing-songs.

I can’t help but eye Kylie with suspicion. Both of them have been keeping secrets from me! How is it that my two best friends are having the time of their lives, and I’m over here collecting cobwebs?

Call me a reborn virgin at this point.

“Asher and I did see each other at his launch event.”

Shock fills me at her response as I smack my forehead. “Damn, I wish I was a fly on the wall for that.”

Moving closer, to the edge of my seat I stare at her with a smile spread across my face. “Tell me, was it worth it? Was his dick bigger than you remember from high school? Please tell me he made you come at least once or twice. Oh, tell me he fucked you in ways I only dream about?”

“God, Madi. Didn’t your mother ever wash your mouth with soap?” Kylie asks me jokingly.

Shrugging my shoulders I lean back in my chair, “She tried once, but I let loose a stream of cuss words so loud and long she ended up using the soap for her ears. Honey, haven’t you ever listened to boys talk about women? If you think I’m bad, you would probably never talk to a guy again. But we’re getting off-topic. Please, Sam, continue.”

“I’m not giving you any details, you perv, but I’m willing to say that I was very satisfied. We saw each other at the event, and we went to his room, and had a good time.”

I knew it.

“Wait,” I reply, knitting my brows together. “Sam, you two are like fated mates or something. You can’t tell me that’s it. Just a good time?”

“What do you want me to say, Madison?” Sam asks me in a huff. Clearly frustrated by the topic of conversation. “That I got carried away? That for a minute I let go and allowed myself to feel for him again?”

Honestly, I’ll never understand why she carries the grudge she had against Asher from years ago. He made a mistake, yes. But everyone does, and this woman needs a wake-up call.

“Yes,” I sigh, shaking my head. “People change, Samantha. We are not the same as we were in high school. We haven’t been keeping in touch and so much has changed in all our lives. Let him in. How can you deny the possibilities if you never give him a chance?”

“Yeah, give yourself this chance,” Kylie adds in nodding her head. “I think Asher is a good guy and he’s always adored you.”

“I don’t think I can handle it if I get my heart broken again, guys,” Sam finally admits, her eyes casting towards her coffee as she hangs her head with a look of defeat. I never meant for her to be upset by what we were talking about, but at the same time… she has to wake up.

If the man I’m meant to spend my life with came back to me and was trying, I’d let him.

I’d allow myself the possibility to hurt, just to say I tried.

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