“Well, I guess I’m not mad per se, because you totally deserved for Lukas to blow your back out, and get you off in the lounge, and in the library, and outside near the shed, and?—”
“Eloise!” I yelled through a whisper.
“I had expected for this to kind of be a girls trip, so I’m a little annoyed you ditched me for some hot ass, but I also can’t blame you because if I had your life the last few weeks…”
I laughed and shoved her lightly.
“Is Cami ready for you to come home?”
“Oh, I’ve relayedeverything. We’re not leaving a bedroom for a day at least. Plus, I read this really good,reallyspicy romance recently, and I sent it to her because there was a scene in it I’m desperate to try.”
“Oh my God.” I laughed.
“I’m going to be sending it to you as well. And you will read it, and you will agree with me.”
I sighed and shook my head. “You’re insane.”
“Yeah, but I’m yours and there’s no return policy.”
“Unfortunately,” I grumbled, hiding my smile.
“Bitch,” Eloise said grinning.
“I am sorry for ditching you. None…none of this was planned.”
“I know, and I know how much he helped you. I can’t be mad about that.”
I took a sip of my drink and contemplated my next words. “I can’t be mad either. I think we both just got so caught up in the fire of it all. I think it was always set to crash and burn.”
“Aimee, I think you’re wrong. Well, maybe not entirely. Yes, it all happened whirlwind fast, but seeing you with him, how you acted…you never were like that with Asher. Yes, you were happy around him, full of heart eyes and eyelashes fluttering and rosy cheeks. But—at least to me—it felt like you were doing the expected thing. Partners, to friends, to romance. I’m not saying it wasn’t real, or true, or that your feelings weren’t valid. But you and Lukas were on fire from the moment you met, and he challenged you.”
I stopped walking and looked at my best friend.
She was biting her bottom lip, looking worried. I thought about what she said. I had that whole conversation with my therapist and really all I needed was my best friend's opinion. She knew me and had known me longer than Asher did.
“You know, I should have just paid you my therapist fees.”
“I mean, I take retroactive payments,” Eloise quipped.
I laughed.
“I think you might be right about Asher, about Lukas. I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to work through everything. I came on this trip to appease my parents and ease my guilt about making their lives hard. Pretty much everything that has happened the last few weeks, I never accounted for, and honestly, my head is reeling.”
“Understandably. The only thing that didn’t shock me was finding out Brittney really was the bitch I always thought she was.”
I couldn’t hold back that laugh that broke free from my chest. Eloise joined in and suddenly laughing felt like the only thing I could do. Every time we started to calm down, we’d look at each other again and start laughing. By the time I’d stopped, my stomach hurt and tears rolled down my eyes.
“It might not have been the vacation I’d wanted or envisioned, but it’s been pretty good.”
“Fantastic really,” Eloise agreed.
CHAPTER 40
lukas
Today was race day.
The sky was a cloudless blue, the sun was bright, the snow almost blinding. The energy of the spectators was palpable even at the top of the run. Zara had my phone—I’d given it to her to avoid any and all temptation.
