I laugh. “Yeah, back then, we thought twenty-five wasreally old—like decrepit. So, we decided that’s when it would be a good idea to pack it in, give up on singledom, and just marry each other. Signed our names in the notebook and called it a day.” I shrug.
“And you still have this notebook?” Scottie questions, and I shake my head.
“Actually, no. I’m pretty sure it’s somewhere at Ace’s parents’ house.” I shrug. “We added the fifteen-minute rule to the official declaration at ten and a couple other promises over the years afterthat. But once we hit high school, we never really needed it anymore. I guess all our rules had become so ingrained they were unspoken by that point.”
“And you just trust that he’s going to follow it?” Kayla asks, skeptical. “I find it hard to believe that boy has any interest in settling down at twenty-five, some official agreement or not. At the beginning of June, Lindsey Boggs and Bridget Sanders told me he was texting with both of them. They knew, and they weren’t even upset.” She shakes her head. “He has some way about him.”
My stomach pitches slightly but finds its feet again as I look through the rack of denim shorts. “Oh, come on, Kayla,” I say, laughing it off. “I don’t know if any of it means anything other than that we were a couple of silly kids with codependency issues. I’m just explaining the history of the fifteen-minute rule and everything attached to it because you asked.”
“And you’re dating hot Drew Bettencourt now,” Kayla adds with a waggle of her eyebrows.
I wink. “Exactly.”
“Is it serious with Drew?” Scottie asks from behind me, following my lead to the corner with the white outfits.
“I wouldn’t say we’re exclusive or anything, but he’s a really nice guy and he makes me laugh.” I smile. “Not a bad kisser either.”
Both Kayla and Scottie giggle.
My phone buzzes again, and I pull it from my back pocket to check it.
Ace: This is the comforter you wanted right? I just happened to notice it through the window at Macy’s. Do you want me to get it? It’s the only one left the lady says
I scan the attached photo and text him back with quick fingers.
Me: Oh my gosh, yes! I haven’t been able to find it anywhere else online either!
Ace: Ok I got it I’ll put it with my stuff and bring it when we move in after the fourth unless you need it before that?
Me: I was just going to wash it, but I can do that when we move in since I was smart enough to find us apartments with laundry in unit!
Ace: HA Yeah yeah I guess it’s good one of us does research
Me: And that one of us is always me.
Ace: That’s because you’re better at it than I am
Me: Sure. A likely story. Anyway, I’m out shopping with Kayla and Scottie. I’ll see you at my dad’s party tonight, right?
Ace: Are you kidding? There’s no way I’d even be allowed to miss it. My dad’s working on some special friendship bracelets or some shit
Me: Oh yeah, Kline Brooks is going to loveeee that.
Ace: It’s his fault for not kicking the Kellys to the curb sooner. If you ever want to get rid of me and can’t you can blame your dad too
I laugh.
Me: See you tonight.
I tuck my phone back into my pocket and look up again to find both Scottie and Kayla watching me with smiles. “What?”
“Drew?” Kayla asks.
“Ace still. Just confirming plans for my dad’s party tonight. You’re both coming, right?” I turn and start flipping through racks of clothes again, my need to find an outfit worthy of tonight’s party renewed.
“Yeah,” they both say in unison behind me. “Is Drew coming?”
I frown, holding up a white skort with a rippled front next to a matching cowl neck halter. “Nope. He has a thing upstate he has to go to for his grandparents. I’ll probably see him sometime next week, though, before we head to Winslow Fourth of July.” I shrug, spinning around and holding up the outfit against myself. “What do you guys think?”
