Page 337 of Small Town Firsts

She glares up at me, and I have to cover my smile with my hands.

"Listen, Linda, there's no such thing as being too prepared."

"Oh, okay, Park Ranger Stell. Is there anything useful in that bag or just clothes?"

"You hush your mouth. There's also snacks, drinks, sunblock, bug spray...I even put some Oreos. But if you want to complain, I guess I'll take them out to make room."

I hold my hands up in surrender. "Let's not make any hasty decisions."

We both laugh, knowing good and well if she took the Oreos out of her bag, they'd only end up in mine.

"It sucks we can't ride together." She looks at me with big, puppy dog eyes.

"Yeah, it does."

"Damn Sterling and his two-seater car." She knocks her shoulder into mine. "You'd think with all that money he could afford a back seat."

"Oh my God, you're such a mess."

"I'm delightful."

"A delightful mess," I deadpan before busting out laughing.

"What time is he supposed to be here?"

"Should be any minute." I check the time on my phone, and, sure enough, there's a knock at the door.

Except when I open the door, it's not Sterling waiting on the other side.

"Do you need something?" Stella asks, all sass, as our RA cranes her neck, trying to peek into our suite, looking for God only knows what.

"Just stopping by to check on things, ladies." While her words are typical, her tone is caustic.

"Are you ever gonna give this a rest?" I ask, beyond exasperated with her antics.

"Give what a rest?" She cuts her eyes at me, and Stella throws her hands in the air.

"You know exactly what she's talking about. Stalking isn't a good color on you and neither is petty."

Melanie glowers. "I can make y'all's lives very hard here, so tread carefully, ladies."

"Did I just hear you threaten my girlfriend?" Sterling asks from behind her. It's been two weeks since we made it official, and my heart still flutters every time I hear that word.

"And her best friend," Stella grumbles.

"Oh, Sterling.” Melanie bats her lashes, her personality switching in an instant. "It'ssogood to see you."

Sterling looks down his nose at her. "I can't say the same."

Melanie rolls her eyes and swats at his chest like he's joking. "You're so funny."

He takes a step back, and she tries to follow. "Melanie, enough is enough. This has to stop."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she whines, trying to deny any wrongdoing. "She started it!"

"I didn't start anything!" I shout, my temper getting the better of me.

"When he comes to his senses and leaves you, I hope you know he'll come crawling back to me." Melanie flips her hair, like she's hot shit, once again focusing her gaze on Sterling.

---