Page 116 of Memories By the Shore
“The sex was …” My eyes find the window and the scattered city lights below. “Indescribable.”
Lina rapidly blinks and throws her hand into the air. “What?”
I look away.
“How isthatnot enough to show you you’re with the wrong guy?”
“It’s complicated.” I wave her off.
She huffs, tucking her legs underneath her. “I get it. You know how stubborn I can be.”
“Yeah, let’s not talk about how much you fought back against your sick love for your dad’s best friend,” I retort, rubbing the condensation from the side of the glass.
“We can call him Carter, now.” She winks.
“Oh, is that his name?”
“Ha. Ha,” she mocks playfully.
A beat passes between us as we look down at the busy city streets below.
“I have to marry Dave,” I whisper.
She shrugs. “Well, you have some time.”
I click my tongue. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Look, you don’t have to decide now.”
“I have decided.”
Lina’s hand goes up. “Okay.”
“You don’t believe me?” I snap, straightening my back. “He’s going to offer me security. And since he doesn’t have my heart, he’ll never be able to break it.”
“I believe you, but I also know you,” she counters, glancing at the tattoo on my wrist.
I feel her eyes bore into my skin. Self-consciously, I flip my wrist over and tuck it under my thigh. “Whatever. Why did you come over again?”
“To be with you.” She smiles, wriggling into the cushions on my couch.
My high heels click on the tile floor as I slip through the crowded restaurant. I’m meeting everyone atThe Poppytonight for dinner. Piper and Jack are in town from California, Lina is bringing Carter, and I’m sure Bailey’s boyfriend Mason will be there since he owns the place. A little more than a year ago, it was just the four of us girls. Now, my friends have all coupledup. I would bring Dave, but I rarely bring him to casual things like this. He’s never shown much interest in getting to know my friends—and sadly, I prefer it that way.
“Avery!” Bailey’s brother Harry waves at me from behind the bar.
“Hey!” I wave back, plastering a smile on my face to hide the turmoil boiling inside me.
“Everyone’s outside!” he shouts, pointing to the patio, reminding me that the group is at the table he and Mason typically reserve for us.
It’s been over a week since I returned home from Coconut Grove. During that time, I’ve worked constantly and stayed as active as possible. This is the first day I haven’t traveled since the night I returned. Oddly, Dave contacted me every day when I was in Coconut Grove, but I’ve barely spoken to him since I returned. Even while traveling for work, he’d been distant.
I step onto the patio, crane my neck to the left, and spot my friends. Bailey sees me approach the table first. She smiles and gives me a quick hug.
“I’m so happy to see your face,” she says, squishing her cheek against mine.
“Scoot over.” Piper’s pregnant belly pokes me from behind. “Let me into this.”
I swing my arm around to hug her from the back.
