Page 314 of Small Town Firsts

“After we finish talking about you. About Sterling.”

“We talked. About everything. Stell, I think… I think he believes me now. Like for real. At first, I wasn’t sure if he wasfaking nice or what, but after last night and this morning, I think he means it.” I drag my teeth over my lower lip, almost scared to speak my next words. “And I think he’s into me, or whatever.”

My best friend smiles. “Of course he is! You’re a total catch. Now, why are you wearing his shirt?”

At her second mention of my outfit, I realize I left my clothes at his place—including my dirty panties. Oh, God. Kill me now.

“Nothing like you’re thinking. He just let me borrow a shirt since mine smelled like a day-old frat party.” I draw my legs up beneath me on the cushion and rest my head against the back. “Now, your turn.”

“Well.” She draws out the word. “I ditched my V-card last night!”

“What?” My eyes widen in shock. “With who?”

She looks down at her lap. “You remember my friend Samson?”

“You mean Mr. Mysterious who you’d never spill the details on? That Samson?”

“The one and only.”

“Are y’all like an item now?”

The light in her eyes dims a little. “No.”

“Oh. Um.”

She laughs, but it sounds forced. “It’s fine, Emmy. I got what I wanted, and he made sure it was good. What more can a girl ask for, right?”

I reach over and take her hand in mine. “A lot of things, Stell, a lot of things. But if you’re happy, then I’m happy for you.”

Her lips pull up into a watery smile. “I’m over the moon.”

CHAPTER 30

STERLING

EMMALYN: HEY!

Me

You know, when I said to text me later, I didn't mean *this* much later.

A yawn escapesme as I stare at my phone waiting for her to reply. My little mouse truly made me sweat it out.

I was half tempted to text her, but something told me she needed time to process all of the changes that took place over the course of the weekend. And while I wanted to talk to her, I didn’t want to scare her off either.

My, how things have changed.

As sappy as it sounds, I wasn’t prepared to wait damn near thirty hours for her text. But I did and it must have been the right thing to do, because she came to me, willingly.

Emmalyn

Sorry! Yesterday was spent studying… my psych project isn’t going to do itself. And my partner kind of sucks. ;)

Me

Shit. I truly am sorry. Give me a chance to fix it.

Emmalyn

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