Page 9 of Final Temptation
Nope. Not what I got at all.
Now, I’d somehow opened the door and invited the hottest guy who ever walked the streets of Alpine Peak to live in my apartment.
My eyes shotopen to the sound of my phone alarm ringing. There wasn’t much to accomplish on my agenda today besides a small amount of homework that had to be turned in by midnight. Focusing on homework and a pounding martini headache from the night before certainly wasn’t a good mix.
After turning off my alarm, I continued to lay in bed, mindlessly scrolling. The conversation between Myles and me flooded back to the forefront of my mind. I can’t believe I mentioned needing a roommate, and even worse, he was apparently looking to move out.
What were the freaking odds?
For him, it probably sounded like a grand plan that fell right into his lap. Me, on the other hand, an absolute disaster of an idea. I could see it now—Myles moving in, girl falling for boy, boy bringing home a new chick every night, and girl having no choice but to deal with it because he’d be paying the bills.
I tossed my phone to the side and grabbed my pillow, wrapping it around my face. “UGH!” My scream muffled into the soft, feathery fabric.
Texting my best friend was the only thing I could think of doing at that moment. Paige was a few years older thanme, with a bit more life experience. She was independent and always seemed to know the answer to everything.
Me: Please tell me you aren’t working this morning.
Paige: Somehow, I managed to have today off. What’s up?
Me: 9-1-1 can you come over and bring greasy carbs and a non-judgmental attitude?
Paige: Oh man. This sounds like a good one. I’ll be there in twenty mins!
While I waited for Paige to arrive, I threw myself together the best I could. She must have been ready for her day and able to leave ASAP, because by the time I had gotten up to brush my teeth, wash my face, and chug some water, there was already a knock on the door.
“You’re a lifesaver.” I pulled her into a tight embrace and closed the door behind her.
“Rough night?” she asked as she made her way to the kitchen, pulling a couple plates from the cabinets to set up our greasy breakfast sandwiches.
“Rough night, party of one.” I grabbed my plate from her and made my way to the couch, Paige following closely behind me. “I may have done something stupid.” I cringed.
Taking a seat next to me, Paige mumbled with a mouth full of bacon, “Is this regarding the thing you didn’t want me to be judgmental about?”
The flakiness of the buttered croissant melted in my mouth, little by little, easing the pain of my hangover. With a full mouth, I nodded before adding, “There may be something I’ve been hiding from you.”
“Spill the beans, Soph. I’m on the edge of my seat.”Should I start with last night? Or do I begin with the kiss?
Shifting side to side, I attempted to get comfortable. “So, I’m just going to come out and say it… I kissed Myles.” My hands flew up, immediately covering my red-hot cheeks.
“Um, I’m sorry. Did you just say you kissed Myles? The person yousworeyou never wanted to get involved with?” My hands slipped from my face, my eyes shooting daggers at my best friend.
“I told you: you weren’t allowed to judge.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Soph. Mind starting from the beginning?” she pleaded.
“It was six months ago—” The moment the words slipped out of my mouth, Paige’s jaw dropped. “Pick your jaw up off the floor. I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry I’ve been holding this one in the vault, but I told myself nothing would ever happen again. I didn’t think it was necessary to spill the beans when I originally planned to take this one to the grave.” My head fell back to the cushion, a wave of relief washing over me now that I finally admitted the secret I’d harbored from my best friend for months. But I wasn’t out of the woods yet. I had more to tell her and advice to ask for.
“You don’t need to apologize. I’m not mad at you for keeping this from me, Soph. I’m just wrapping my head around it all. Clearly, there is more to the story, right? So, let it all out, I’m here to listen.” She set her nearly full plate to the side, sitting crisscross applesauce with her hands in her lap, fingers fully intertwined, eager to hear me out.
I started from the beginning—girls’ night. I confessed every dirty detail, from the hottest kiss I’d never forget, the way it made me burn up inside, and the idiotic thoughts that ran through my mind that night when I was drunk off wine,and fresh off accidentally matching with him on the dating app—which I made sure to sarcastically thank her for.
“The truth is, I’ve felt so fucking alone lately, Paige. I see how happy you are in your relationship, and that’s something I’ve always wanted. I’m a relationship girl. I know I’ve never been in a serious one, but it’s what I desperately want. I don’t want to fuck around forever. I want the guys I hook up with to see me as more—more than just a pretty face.” I ran my hands through my hair, combing it back and tying it up in a knot.
“So, you finally gave in to messaging Myles last night when you were feeling lonely?”She has no idea.
“To be frank? I knew Myles would be a good time. Look at him, of course he’d be a good time. But I didn’t think that when I kissed him, I’d never be able to wash that memory away. In reality, I hoped I was drunk enough that I’d forget it. I had a moment of weakness last night when I messaged him. I was lonely, horny, and everything in-between, you name it.”
“Was the conversation a good one?” she asked, hope laced in her voice.
