Page 56 of The Little Black Book

“So, I was feeling…jealous, I guess. Sam and I have been hanging out more lately, and I’ve been feeling things I shouldn’t, considering our friendship. I couldn’t stand watching him with that dippy waitress––who’s at least ten years younger than us, by the way––so I made up an excuse and left. A little while later, Sam showed up at my apartment.”

Sophie’s eyebrows shoot up, and Ava nods, saying, “He was alone, I presume.”

“He was. He ditched his date to come over and make sure I was okay. We ended up kissing, and fuck, was it amazing. I came to my senses and tried to tell myself, andSam, that it was a bad idea. He asked if I wanted him to leave, and I ended up attacking him.”

“How was it?” Sophie asks, her face alight with anticipation.

“Fucking amazing,” I say slowly. “He had to leave while I was sleeping. Something happened at the casino, I guess. I wasn’t sure if I believed it, or not––”

“It’s true. Jared told me about it,” Sophie cuts in.

“––and I ended up telling him we were still friends, and he should let me know when he sets up his next date,” I continue as if she hadn’t spoken.

Both women gape at me like that little tidbit was the stupidest thing they’d ever heard. I shake my head and hold up my palms.

“I know. I know,” I say. “I panicked. Sam agreed, which sent me further over the edge. Then that night at the bar, when we all went out together, I got shitfaced and followed him to the bathroom. When he came out, I kissed him, but he pushed me off.”

“And told us he was taking you home,” Ava adds.

“Nothing happened that night. I begged him to stay, and he did. Then Sunday morning, when we woke up, he explained the only reason he didn’t hook up with me was because I was drunk, and he didn’t want to take advantage.”

“That’s…really nice,” Ava says, her voice sounding a bit melancholy.

She waves off my concerned look and motions for me to go on with the story.

“Long story short, we spent the whole day in bed together and he stayed the night again. I went to his house on Monday night, and last night, he took me on a real date.”

“So, does that mean you’re together now?” Sophie asks.

“Of course, it does,” Ava answers.

“I don’t actually know,” I say. “We haven’t talked labels, yet.”

“Is he seeing other women?” Ava asks.

“I don’t think so,” I say.

“You’re totally a couple,” Sophie says firmly.

“I guess we are,” I admit, my voice soft and filled with wonder.

“Oh, you’re falling,” Sophie says, bouncing lightly in her chair.

“I am not,” I argue, but the words ring false even to my ears.

“You definitely are. You should have the conversation about exclusivity,” Ava says, and I can’t ignore the solemnity she’s displaying for another moment.

“What is going on with you, Ava?” I ask. “You’re not acting like yourself.”

“I told you, I’m just tired.”

“Bullshit,” Sophie says, shaking her head. “How long have we been friends?”

“Forever,” I answer when Ava pinches her lips closed.

“Exactly,” Sophie says. “Something is up with you, and I can tell it’s major. So, spill. Now.”

Ava’s dark eyes land on me, and I can see the panic in them before she reigns it in and gives me a blank stare. My chest hollows out as fear rushes through me. Something is terribly wrong, and whatever it is, Ava feels like she can’t tell us. And she tells useverything, whether we want to hear it, or not. Always has.

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