Page 117 of Memories By the Shore
“Now I’m jealous.” Lina sets down her martini, gets up from her chair, and wraps her arms around us from the side.
“Okay, you four,” Mason says, bringing over a plate of appetizers. “You act like you never see each other.”
We all laugh at his comment, then release. While we all takeour seats, I quickly greet Jack, Piper’s husband, Carter, Lina’s boyfriend, and Mason, standing next to the table with his arm around Bailey’s shoulders.
“So, where’s the dentist?” Mason asks, gazing at the eighth chair, which is next to me and empty. I’m engaged to him. He should be here with me. Suddenly, emotion from the last couple of weeks weighs heavy on my chest.How do I tell them I don’t mind? How do I tell myself that if it were Jasper, we’d never want to spend that much time apart?I don’t.
I rub my lips together, my heart still clenched inside my chest. “It’s not our night tonight.”
A blanket of awkward silence covers the table. The girls know about Dave and me having nights off from each other, but I don’t think the guys are aware.
“What does that mean?” Jack asks, softly picking up on its sensitivity.
A server places an old-fashioned on the table in front of me. I glance at Mason, knowing I haven’t ordered yet. He shoots me a friendly wink.
I smile appreciatively before taking a sip—the chilled drink leaving a warm trail down my throat. “We have an understanding that certain nights of the week, we don’t see each other.” The guys give puzzled looks while empathetic expressions are on the girls’ faces.
“But what if the only time you’re home from flying is on one of those nights?” Carter asks, his voice low. “Do you still not see each other?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“And you don’t mind?” Jack seeks clarification.
“No.”
Everyone is silent for a beat, processing what I said and probably being grateful they aren’t in a relationship like that.
Lina slips her hand over my knee, giving it a soothing squeeze. “So, Piper Moon, how are you feeling?” she asks, changing the subject.
Piper beams. “I feel really good.”
“Avery, how was Coconut Grove?” Mason asks.Can these guys not take a hint?
I sigh, giving in to my friends. It’s hard enough for me to open up to the girls, let alone their significant others. But Mason, Carter, and Jack are part of our circle now.
I rest my hand on top of Lina’s, which is still comfortably placed on top of my knee. Glancing over at the empty chair to my other side, I find myself wishing Jasper was here with us.
“It was fine,” I say, frustrated with myself for not being good at stuff like this. I should open up to them. Each one of my friends has been in vulnerable positions like this, and each time, the rest of us rally around to show support.Is this what they’re doing for me? Do I not need to carry everything by myself anymore?
“Just fine?” Mason asks sympathetically.
Carter’s forehead furrows. “I’m sure it was hard for you.”These girls gave them all the details. I know it.
I straighten my posture and clear my throat. “Well, it sucked. I got married when I was eighteen, had my heart broken into a thousand pieces, and never got a divorce.” I take in a breath. “I went out there to ask for the divorce, but when I got there, all the feelings came back, and my estranged and I ended up inbed together less than forty-eight hours after I arrived. He finally gave me one, but now I feel shittier and more confused than I did before I went.”
Bailey lovingly looks over in my direction. “I’m proud of you, babe. It’s a lot to deal with.”
I clamp my eyes shut, being put on the spot, but not in the way one might think. I feel comforted by them, and in this moment, although brief, I don’t feel alone.
“That’s a lot,” Jack comments. “Give yourself some time. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Carter leans forward, looking past Lina to give me a soft smile. “Thank you for sharing that with us.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Can we order food now?”
The table erupts in a rumble of laughter.
“Yes!” Mason exclaims.
