Page 14 of Reconciling With the Rival

Amelia raises her bottle. “To the best year ahead for all of us, and to Paige. Happy birthday, my girl.” The rest of us raise our glasses.

“To Paige,” Hads says.

“Happy birthday, P!” I say, already feeling a buzz.Thank fuck.Oliver turns all the lights off as the movie starts to play, and I find myself not being able to pay attention to it. My mind keeps going back to the face Leo made when he saw me walk in.Did he know I worked there? Did he take the job knowing it would drive me nuts?I wouldn't put it past him. He practically gets off on pushing my buttons—he always has.

“Down in front!” Amelia softly kicks Oliver, and he crouches back down next to Grant.

A few hours later, us girls are camped out in Paige’s guest room as we sit on the floor, drinking and catching up.

“So, besides Ella’s big revelation tonight, what has everyone else been up to?” Paige asks as she smiles around at us.I’m so glad she’s smiling again.The past few years have been tough for her, and I’m glad she found her shine again.

“Well, I have a boyfriend,” Amelia slurs as her eyes pop and she realizes what she said.

“A what?” Hads asks, shock in her tone.

“Amelia, how did you keep this from us?” Paige points at her. “What’s the lucky guy's name?” I know she’s secretly hoping Amelia says a different name than the one she’s going to say.

“His name is Harvey.”

“Harvey?” I question.

“That sounds eerily close to Hen—”

Hads cuts Paige off before she can finish speaking. “Where did you meet him?”

Amelia’s eyes look sad before she masks her expression. She tells us she met him at some bar and originally only planned for it to be a one night stand, but she kept running into him at the weirdest places—the grocery store, bookstore, her commute to work.

“He sounds like a stalker,” Paige says.

“Or it’s fate.” I practically choke on my drink as Hads says that. “What?”

“Grant’s made you soft,” Amelia laughs as she looks at Paige. “And you’ve made Oliver semi-likeable. This is why we need to Facetime more. The world is going to spin off its axis if I see Oliver smile one more time. It’s upsetting the timeline.”

“Well, if one of us could get used to the time difference and stop accidentally missing calls, we’d be set,” Hads says before Ames throws a pillow at her.

The four of us laugh before a calm silence envelops the room.

“Guys, what am I going to do? Just the thought of being near that British fucker is driving me insane.” I’m not usually one toaskfor help, but the alcohol is loosening my entire body. It also helps that I trust the girls. I know they can understand my pain, even if only a little.

“I think that’s a question we can answer when we’re sober,” Paige says as she slumps onto the air mattress.

“Good idea,” Hads says as she looks at the clock. “It is two in the morning, after all.”

After we all agree to go to sleep, Paige’s voice filters through the room. “This was one of my favorite days ever. Thank you all for coming. I love you guys so much.” I hear her sniffle and Hads roll into her, probably smothering her in a hug. Those two have become much closer since Paige started dating her brother, and it makes my heart ache, especially since they were strained after everything that happened during Paige and Amelia’s senior year. It’s good to know time can heal most things.

I turn my head to Ames and notice she’s still awake. “Are you doing okay?”

She nods her head. “Yeah, I’m okay.” I notice a tear fall from her eye, and I wipe it away. “I missed you guys a lot. I’m glad I’m here.”

“Is your sleep schedule still fucked?” I ask, knowing she’ll probably be like me tonight: tossing and turning.

“Yeah, I haven't slept well in London. I haven't slept well since…” She trails off, and I know it’s because she’s thinking about Henry. Paige always told me she slept more when he was around, and after everything that happened, I bet it’s hard to go back to how she was before.

“Ames, you don't have to feel guilty about doing what you thought was best for you.” Even if her leaving was sudden, if it’s what she had to do, it makes sense. She does need to work better on her communication, though. It has been difficult to get in touch with her, and sometimes, I worry it’s not just the time difference.

She smiles, but again, it’s sad. It’s like she’s trying to convince herself she made the right call, even though it has been two years. “Thanks, Ells. We should head to bed.” She turns awayfrom me, and I know she’s not going to sleep; Amelia has never liked talking about Henry after it all went to shit. I know not to press, but I hate not being there for my friends if they're struggling. It kills me to see them like that, but Ames will talk about it when she’s ready. I think this Harvey guy is a step in the right direction for her, but I know she still thinks about Henry.

I sigh as I try to get comfortable, knowing damn well I’m not going to be able to sleep since my heart is still racing.

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