Page 43 of What Happens In Vegas
‘We couldn’t figure out how to make it work. We talked about giving up our respective careers, changing our lives, but neither of us, at the time, was willing to do that.’ She shruggeda shoulder. ‘So we went our separate ways. We never thought about a long-distance relationship either. It just ended.’
Ava freed her hand from Bonni’s grip to press her fingers against her eyes. All this time, one of her best friends had been carrying around this secret heartbreak, the pain too much to speak of, but now she was baring her soul to give a cautionary tale. The love Bonni felt forher friend was overwhelming.
‘Oh, Ava, I never knew. You should’ve talked to me. I could’ve helped you through it. Have you gotten over him?’
‘I don’t know really. I think I have. But in a way, it doesn’t matter. It’s still one of the biggest regrets of my life.’ The hurt in her voice was evident, but there was also strength and Bonni drew from it.
Ava shifted to grab her drink off the tableand downed the remainder. She waved the empty glass as she continued, ‘God, I can’t believe how similar it is to you and Quinn! But what’s important for me to tell you is this. I’m in my early thirties, I’m settled in a job I mostly love, even if it wasn’t my childhood dream. I’ve tried dating, online and real life, and it’s a zoo. I’m so sick of the ghosting, breadcrumbing, and all the other bsthat accompany dating. So many frogs, Bonni, and I’m tired of kissing them.’
‘Ava – I . . .’ Bonni wasn’t exactly sure what she was going to say, but this uncharacteristic bitterness was so unlike her friend.
Avaheld up her hand. ‘No, let me finish. Despite all that, I do want to find someone. Someone that gets me, and thinks I’m amazing, and holy hell! wants to build a life together. So I’mholding on to hope! Even if I’m a silver-haired bride, I will keep looking and not let the right man slip out of my fingers again.’
‘Maybe it’s not too late, maybe you could track him down – I could help—’
Ava shook her head. ‘It was five years ago and I’ve moved on . . . alone. Besides, I tell myself that if we’d really been meant to be we would have fought for each other. We would have madeany sacrifice to be with each other. But like I said, we simply . . . fell apart.’
Bonni had always considered herself a fighter. Some people rolled with the punches and adapted to life, but not Bonni. Whether it was a perceived injustice or simply a goal she had set for herself, she always left the gate swinging. So, was Quinn worth fighting for?
Ava tilted her head sideways. ‘Bonni, I’d nevertell you what to do, unless you ask me for advice, but I wanted to give you food for thought.’ She leaned forward and pulled Bonni into a bear hug. ‘We girls have to look out for each other.’
After a long hug they both sorely needed, they stood up. Ava’s voice brightened. ‘Anyway, I’m on Team Boing—’
‘Boing? Do I even want to know?’ Bonni braced herself for more of her friends’ craziness.
‘It’s your couple name! Bo for you and In for Quinn, and a G to make it pop. Fredi and Celia came up with it.’ Bonni was glad to hear the humor in Ava’s tone.
They laughed quietly.
‘Remember our junior year, we got that two-bedroom suite and we used to do this in the mornings?’ Bonni recalled. ‘Celiaand Fredi would be passed out from the night before and you and I would go to the common roomand eat cereal and talk?’
‘Of course I remember. They were some of the best times of my life. I feel so fortunate we’ve formed these lasting friendships’
‘Me too.
Bonni yawned, and Ava did too. Bonni bent over and retrieved her boots from the floor. ‘I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. Gotta close my eyes for a while.’
‘Me too. You know those two will be up early and ready to hit the town.’
‘Ugh, I can’t even . . . Give me a few hours. Night, hun.’
‘Sweet dreams of your hunky man,’ Ava whispered, and padded off to her bed.
Bonni stumbled through the darkened room to her bedroom. Removing her clothes, she dropped them on the floor and face-planted into the bed and pillows. She thought for sure she’d be out like a light, but Quinn invaded her mind. And so did Ava’s heartbreakingadmission.
There was still so much to know about him. The private stuff, like who he was, where he came from, what he did for a living – aside from poker – and where he called home and how, if possible, they could fit it all together. Lying in the dark, her eyes growing heavier, Bonni made a decision that allowed her to begin drifting off to sleep. Her chaotic brain finally shut down.
I haveto take a leap of faith.It was unknown territory she’d be jumping into. But something told her she could trust Quinn to catch her.
