Page 73 of This Time Around
“Here. I don’t normally share private text messages from guys I’ve just hooked up with, and maybe this is weird since you’re friends and all, but I kinda want your take on this.”
Allie found herself reaching for the phone, spurred by a touch of voyeurism and the thrill of having a girlfriend to share secrets with.
After her parents’ arrest, she’d started avoiding old friends. She’d hated watching their faces for pity or judgment or both, and it felt easier to keep to herself.
Just last week, the PR exec from Belmont—a kindhearted woman named Jenna—had suggested they grab a drink, and Allie meant to take her up on it. But she couldn’t shake the thought that Jenna just felt sorry for her. Even Amy, her oldest and dearest friend from summer camp, seemed unsure what to say to her sometimes.
Allie wasn’t sure, either, how they should fold themselves into adult paper figures of their childhood selves.
But things felt different with Skye. Something vital had been missing from Allie’s life. She had a female friend, and part of her felt fiercely protective. She looked down at Skye’s phone, wanting to be proven wrong about Wade. Wanting him to be truly be smitten for once. She didn’t have much hope, but his words to Skye stopped her flat.
You are fucking amazing. I woke up feeling like I’ve been hit on the side of the head with a 2x4 made of happy. God, I’m talking like a fucking Hallmark card. Look what you’ve done to me, woman. When can I see you again?
Allie stared at the words, taking them in. She felt a slow smile spread over her face.
“Well?” Skye’s tone was hopeful, and Allie looked up to see a little crack in the bravado she’d worn just a few moments ago. “It’s cheesy, I know. But is it just a line? Does he say that sort of thing to all the girls? Lay it on me, I can take it.”
Allie shook her head and handed the phone back. “I’ve known Wade for six years. Cross my heart and hope to die, I’ve never seen him write anything remotely like that.”
The grin that flashed on Skye’s face was like the sun coming out. “I was hoping for that.”
“Seriously. He dates a lot of women, and he can be a passionate guy. But he’s never that effusive. Never.”
Skye tucked a blue curl behind one ear. “You’re not just saying that?”
“No way. The man’s got it bad.”
“Good. Because so do I.”
Allie laughed. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks!” Skye cocked her head to the side. “So how about you? Is this thing with Jack serious, or is it just a fling?”
Allie gripped the spatula tighter, not sure how to answer. “I guess it’s too early in the morning to say. I mean, it’s kinda new. Well, not new. I mean, I’ve known him forever, but not this version of him, you know?”
“Right. But what do you want to have happen?”
The hopefulness in Skye’s voice was contagious. Allie hesitated, not sure what to say. She felt deliciously happy, happier than she’d felt in ages. She couldn’t wait to see Jack again, and the thought of kissing him made her spleen do somersaults in her abdomen.
She wondered what he was feeling. Was it just a fling for him, or something more? Which did she want it to be?
“Hey, Allie? I think your eggs are burning.”
“What? Oh.” Allie whirled around to see smoke billowing from the copper skillet. Dammit. She snatched it off the burner and dropped it into the sink, scraping halfheartedly at the mess glued to the bottom. “Crap. They’re goners.”
“Sorry. My fault. I distracted you with all that boy talk.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry, I was plenty distracted on my own.” She reached for the faucet handle, but Skye stood up.
“Actually, let me see if I can salvage any of that for the cats.”
“Really? I wouldn’t have thought of feeding eggs to cats.”
“The vet says they’re a good protein source. Especially for some of the older guys.”
As if on cue, two cats appeared in the kitchen and began twining themselves around Skye’s ankles. A tiger-striped one named Kenny and a chubby, Creamsicle-colored cat named Luna. Their oversized paws made velvety thumps on the hardwood floor as they circled Skye’s bare feet in perfect synchronicity.
“I’m gonna miss these guys,” Skye murmured. “Big sweeties.”
