Page 42 of The Sweetest Risk

I get a brownie from my kitchen counter and go back to the couch. I splay my pink checkered throw blanket over my legs, unlock my phone screen and open my messages.

I missed you in the stands tonight.

I am sure I have the goofiest grin on my face as I start typing back:

Oh, I’m sure you had plenty of girls cheering you on. There is no lack of fans when it comes to Tristan Lawson.

That is the understatement of the century. Images of countless girls, like that ice girl Alison who went to his housea few weeks ago, flood my brain. My stomach begins to sink because they are all the type of girls he claimed he was attracted to all those years ago. I’m sure the girls in Vegas are no different. Plus, they are in Vegas – who knows what kind of trouble these guys are going to get into.

I try to focus back on my TV. Matthew McConaughey is looking at Kate Hudson in the way all girls want to be looked at. If I am honest with myself, there is only one man who has ever looked at me like that. And he is texting me right now. My phone vibrates again and I read Tristan’s response.

None of them were you.

My face gets hot as I bite my bottom lip.

“Who are you texting?”

I jump and slap my hand to my chest as my phone falls on the ground. “Oh my God, Tess, you scared the crap out of me!”

Tess comes around the couch and sits in her spot as I reach down and inspect my phone, which thankfully isn’t broken.

“My bad, girl. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She chuckles and looks at the TV screen. “Aw man, I missed my favorite part. Do you mind if I rewind it?”

“Not at all.”

She presses a button on the remote and we both rewatch “the look” scene with googly eyes. Without a beat, Tess presses on, “So, who are you texting on our sacred girls night?”

“No one,” I lie, tucking some stray hair behind my ears. The sucky thing is, I am a terrible liar. And I have been friends with Tess long enough that she can spot my bullshit from a mile away.

My phone vibrates again and before I can stop her, Tess snatches my phone from my hands. She reads the screen and her eyebrows raise to a level I’ve never seen before, along with the grin that spreads across her face.

“What are you wearing, Cupcake?”

Tess’ grin grows even wider. “Oh my god! I knew it!”

“Can I have my phone back please?” I hold out my hand. Tess gives me an up-to-no-good look, and types in my passcode. “Hey! How did you know my passcode?”

“Oh please, I’ve known your passcode for years.” She successfully unlocks my phone and quickly types a message back to Tristan.

“You better show me before you send that mess–” I hear the swooping noise indicating that she sent whatever message already. “Tess! Oh my God, what did you send him?” I frantically reach over for my phone.

She shrugs and hands it back willingly. “Well, it’s getting late and I think your night is about to get a lot more interesting.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me. “I’m going to take some brownies for the road, is that okay?” Before I have the chance to look at whatever incriminating words Tess sent to Tristan, I respond, “Oh, of course, since you have been so helpful tonight.”

“Trust me, I have! You’ll thank me later.” She grabs a tupperware container out of my cabinet and digs into the pan.

Kate Hudson is shouting the words to “You’re So Vain” into a microphone. I point to the TV. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay? The movie isn’t over yet.”

She waves me off. “You and I both know that we’ve seen this movie hundreds of times. I know how it ends…now as for you, I better have updates on what happens after I leave. And spare me no details…I haven’t been on a date in months. Have fun with Hot Shot tonight.”

I can feel myself blushing as I stand up to walk her to the door.

She wraps her arm around my neck, giving me a hug goodbye. “This was fun, B. We need to do this more.”

“I agree.” Tess always knows how to bring the fun into my life and calms me when I am freaking out or when my anxiety gets the best of me.

She blows me a kiss as she exits my apartment and I blow her one back. I don’t know how I ever survived this life without Tess. Although now, I want to push her into a small pond like Luke does to Jess inGilmore Girlsfor sending a text without me inspecting it first. I hesitantly unlock my phone and see the message she sent.

Nothing.

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