“Everything like what exactly?” Heat rushed to my cheeks.
“Brooke, you just rushed out of Officer Asshole’s house with your dress on inside out.”
My whole body blushed when I saw the labels of my dress sticking out from the side. “Um…”
“Yeah, busted. Come on, I got the whole day free. I can tell you how I proposed to Vanessa last night and she said yes.”
“Oh my God!” I squealed and rushed up to hug him, feeling so proud of him. “That’s the best news. Oh my gosh, oh Noah. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you. I hope you will say yes when I ask you to be my best woman.”
I laughed.
“I am saying yes now,” I said, jumping up and down.
“Thanks again. Okay, back to you I’m all ears. Spill it, sister. I told you karma would come for you somehow.”
Karma—I wished it were as simple as that.
* * *
Ryan
* * *
No strings attached…
I didn’t know who the fuck I thought I was kidding with that mantra. I was attached and hooked, attached and hooked and so wrapped up in Brooke I couldn’t see straight.
That night we talked about her ex was…
God… I didn’t even know I had it in me to talk poetry, but more than that I didn’t mean to tell her how I felt. This was supposed to be a no-strings-attached relationship we knew would end. It wasn’t like we didn’t know.
I knew she was in town for eight months and then would be going home. That was what I kept telling myself all these long weeks. I just wished I hadn’t allowed myself to fall for her a little more every damn time I saw her.
Weeks later, I was love’s fool. The summer had flown by on a breeze, and Aria had returned home. Of course she insisted we all have dinner at our house the next night.
Brooke sat opposite me and Aria sat to my left, talking about all her adventures at summer camp. Her chatter was a much needed distraction for me, but at times I felt myself looking at Brooke as she listened intently to Aria.
“I had the very best students. It was amazing and I want to go back next year,” Aria continued on, so excited and bubbly.
“That’s great honey.” I smiled.
“I’m so impressed.” Brooke beamed. When she looked to me, her cheeks flushed.
It was because I was already looking at her, and I couldn’t stop looking. It was only when Aria cleared her throat loudly that we broke our stare.
“So, what did you guys do? I’m sorry, I know I’m talking your ears off.”
“Nothing much, just work,” I answered, nodding and thinking that was a good answer.
Aria rolled her eyes and huffed as she picked up her dinner roll and threw it at me. It hit me square in the face, and Brooke started laughing.
“What the hell was that for?” I threw my hands up.
“You and your lies. Oh my gosh, the two of you are worse than teenagers.” She pouted, looking from Brooke to me.
While Brooke’s laughter turned into a cough, I straightened up instantly.
