“Yes, they are the first place people go to for help,” she explains something I didn’t even think about. “Strangely enough, my therapist gave me the idea.” I want to know everything about her. I want to know all of the things. The need to ask her everything is at the tip of my tongue, but I’m respecting her and her boundaries. So, if she is going to give me anything, it’ll be her play. “Anyway, I reached out to about twenty-five of them”—she grabs her burger—“and told them about us and what we are planning to do. Some were skeptical, which is only normal since we haven’t been open long, but a good chunk of them have already responded to my email.”
“What are your next steps?” I ask her.
“The next step is to reach out to some of the local shelters before hitting up the hospitals.” She takes a bite of her burger. “Then we check and see how my lists are.”
“Well, it looks like you have everything under control”—I smirk at her—“just like I knew you would.”
We finish eating, then I stand up and she stands up with me. Standing at the same time, very close to me, so close I can’t help myself. “I miss you,” I say softly and she looks up at me, her eyes looking at me the exact way she did on Saturday night, full of wanting and need, “so fucking much.” I step in an inch, just to be closer to her. “But I understand why we’re doing this.” She turns to face me, our chests almost touching, and if I squatted down and leaned in even a little, my lips would be on hers. My heart speeds up, my fingers move to touch her, and my body aches with the need to hold her. “I’ll see you next week.” I turn and walk out of the door before I do something I’ll regret and lose her forever.
twenty-five
Lexi
Ariella:
I can’t wait for tomorrow.
Gabriella:
I wish I was in town.
Zoey:
I wish I could cancel on the date that Nash has planned for us.
Ariella:
Well, it sucks you won’t be there, but I will. Well, me and Jagger but he doesn’t count since he’s attached to my boob for most of the day.
Me:
Guys, I live here now, so we can do it any other time.
Zara:
You think I can fly in for the night and then fly out?
I smile at Zara’s last comment. It’s been a while since I’ve been active in the group chats between the girls. My cousin Gabriella always makes me laugh as much as my sister, Zara.
Me:
If you want, I am sure someone can lend you a plane. Doesn’t Gabriel’s family have one just waiting in the wings?
Zara:
Don’t tempt me. Okay, I’m going to have to pass on this girls’ night, but I’m coming down in about a month and I expect girls’ night two-point-O. So clear your calendars.
Me:
It’s a date.
I push away from my desk and walk out of my office toward Kylie’s. Seeing her behind her white desk with a pink chair, she looks up from her screen and smiles at me. “Are you taking off?” Kylie asks as she leans back in the chair and puts her hands over her head.
“I’m about to,” I reply, “but I was also coming in to invite you over to my house tomorrow.”
“Oh,” she says, the smile on her face going bigger and bigger.
“Nothing big, just the girls are coming over for a housewarming party and we are going to watch the hockey game.” I hold up my hands after she shoots me an amused look. “Ariella has to since Jaxon is on the team, so we are supporting her. But there will be pizza and sushi, along with wine and whatever it is you want.”
