Page 66 of The Little Black Book

And just like that, I’m dead. My heart explodes, my lungs deflate, and my body becomes paralyzed.

“Say it again.”

Her smile grows even wider as she pushes her hands into my hair and grips it tightly. Holding me still, she looks deep into my eyes, willing me tohearher.

“I love you. I’ve never felt this way, either. I had no idea how to handle these feelings inside me. They were unexpected and overpowering, and trying to suppress them felt like it was killing me. This? You and me? It feels right. It feels…miraculous.”

My cock stiffens inside her at those words, and her eyes widen before falling closed. She moans as I roll my hips, her inner walls massaging my cock to a full erection in seconds. I’m a little in awe at the power she holds over me, but I’m not going to waste it.

We make love again, whispering words of possession and devotion to each other as we chase that ultimate high. We show each other just how much need and want and love there is between us, and after we come again, we hold onto each other for the rest of the night.

And this, right here, is what I’ve been searching for. Zoey kept her promise. She helped me find love.

And it probably wouldn’t have happened without my little black book.

Epilogue

Zoey

Three months later…

“I never thought I’d see this day. I’m so happy for my son and my future daughter-in-law. May your lives be filled with happiness,good luck, and lots of babies for me to cuddle.”

We all laugh as Jared’s mom lifts her champagne glass in a toast to her son and his new fiancée. Sophie is glowing, and I’m so fucking happy for her. Jared proposed a few weeks ago, and we’re celebrating at the casino’s event hall with family, friends, and coworkers.

I’m sitting next to Sam, our hands clasped on his thigh as the people closest to the happy couple make toast after toast. The champagne is flowing, smiles abound, and the atmosphere is filled with joy and hope for the future.

I look over at Ava, who sits on my other side, and some of my happiness fades. She’s been acting strange for weeks, but every time Sophie and I try to get her to open up about what’s wrong, she shuts us down. She’s justtired. Or woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Or someone pissed her off, ruining her day.

I’m worried about her, and so is Sophie. We’ve been trying to figure out what could possibly be going on with her, but she’s being so tight-lipped and dishonest, we really have no idea what the hell the problem could be.

“Hey,” I say, nudging her with my elbow. “You okay? You haven’t even touched your champagne.”

“I’m fine,” she says, giving me a smile so fake, it’s almost scary. “I had Mexican for lunch, and my stomach has been a little wonky ever since.”

I watch her pick up her water and take a sip, and an uneasy feeling settles in my gut. Avaliveson tacos and enchiladas. I swear, her stomach is lined with steel. She’s lying again, and I’m starting to freak out over what the truth may be.

I open my mouth to say something, anything that will encourage her to open up and tell me the truth, but the D.J. picks that moment to announce the dance floor is open. A loud bass beat drops, and Sophie shouts and leaps to her feet, waving for Ava and me to join her on the floor. I give Ava a long look, but she only sighs and pushes herself to her feet. Plastering on another fake smile, she heads out to meet Sophie in the middle of the dance floor.

Sam squeezes my hand before releasing it. Leaning close, his lips brush against my ear as he speaks.

“Everything okay?”

I shake my head. “I honestly don’t know.”

But this is Sophie’s night, and if Ava wants to pretend like everything is okay for our friend’s benefit, then so can I. For now.

We head out to the floor and clasp hands with Sophie, raising them into the air as we shake our asses to the beat. It’s fun and feels like old times, and even Ava’s spirits seem to rise as we dance. She’s glowing, and for the first time in weeks, her smile seems genuine.

Maybe she’s going to be all right. Maybe we all are.

Jared appears beside us, stealing Sophie away for some good old-fashioned dirty dancing. Ava and I continue to dance together through the end of the song, then we all clap as the D.J. slows it down.

I feel a tap on my shoulder, and I spin around to land in Sam’s arms. He smiles down at me as he slips one hand into mine, pulling them against his chest, and his other hand slides around to press against my back.

Ava stands there for a second, then turns to walk quickly away. It suddenly hits me thatImight be the problem. Well, both Sophie and I.

We’ve both found love, settling down into real adult relationships. We don’t spend as much time together with Ava as we used to, and she’s probably feeling a bit left out. I know I’d feel that way if I were in her shoes, despite being overjoyed that my friends are so happy.

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