Ashley squats down next to us as she returns from the restroom. “Yeah. Spill it, Allen. Seriously, what are the odds that you’d become Hunter’s housemate?”
“Pretty slim,” I admit. “I think he was relieved in a way that someone he knew showed up at the door. You know how private he is.”
“He always was,” Peyton says. “You and he made the perfect private pair, Winter. But living together? Do you think that will be weird?”
She and Ashley look at me expectantly, their mouths partially open and their eyes bright.
“I don’t know,” I say. “Nothing romantic has happened.”
My two girlfriends both visibly deflate in front of my eyes.
Then they try to cover.
“Oh,” Peyton says. “Well, that makes sense, of course. I mean, you two have a difficult history, and…and…”
Ashley jumps in to help. “And you’re just so hot and stormy together, which would make a peaceful home life challenging if you started being more than friends. Hunter’s also a commitment-phobe, and I know you moved on from him long ago…”
“I meant that nothing romantic has happened—yet,” I blurt out.
Why the hell did I just say that?God, I’m definitely drunk.
Silence. Before—
Loud squeals, hugs and “oh my God,” and “this is going to be so much fun.”
“No, wait!” I shake my head. “Darn beer. I didn’t phrase that right. Nothing is going to happen between Hunter Storm and me. Nothing but a few months of possible friendship and polite…” I can’t remember what I meant to say. “What’s the word? I can’t remember my words. How drunk am I?”
“I think you mean you want sex with Hunter,” Ashley says. “Is that what you mean? Sex?”
“Sex.” Peyton nods. “I love sex.”
“Oh God, me too.” Ashley sighs. “I always have casual sex. But I think sometime I want the real kind of sex. You know, the type that lasts. Like you and Scott have, Peyton.”
Peyton claps her hands. “Yay! You just made a resolution for love!”
“I did?” Ashley wrinkles her nose. “Isn’t that just for New Year’s?”
“Hey!” I snap my fingers in front of their faces. “Help me find the word I can’t remember. It’s not sex—it’s the opposite. Like non-sex.”
“Companionship?” Ashley suggests.
I point at her. “Genius. Yes, that’s the word: companionship. Hunter Storm and I will have companionship in his townhouse. And, that’s it.”
“Yay for companionship!” Ashley says.
I smile at them. “I’ve missed you girls sooo much. I love you, and even though I’m drunk, I really do mean it.”
“We love you too.” Peyton and Ashley hug me, and for the first time since I moved home, I feel at peace.
When Hunter returns to our table, I ask him what he and Ike were talking about. “I thought I saw you guys look over at me,” I say.
“I just told him you deserved to enjoy a night out without anyone asking for autographs or selfies. He said he’d make sure you got your privacy.”
I stare at him. I can’t believe he did that for me.
“Win?” He furrows his brows. “Did I overstep? I’m sorry. I thought you wanted…”
“I did. I do.” I smile at him. “That was so incredibly thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
