1
Veronica
“I’m so glad you guys are back together, and hopefully this time it sticks,” I tell Katie with a genuine smile and a side hug.
“I know; I really do love him. I don’t know what was running through my head.”
“Well, the next time it happens, I am snagging that boy away from you. He is just too good to be true.”
“There is no way I’d let that happen. But I’ll be sure to look after him this time around.”
“How are things between you guys, anyway?”
She didn’t need to answer; she was radiating with happiness.
“He’s been perfect. Everyone already knew that we were going out, so it was an easy transition from ‘friends’ to in a relationship.”
“At least I’m out of your hair now, you won’t have to worry about me crashing at your only alone-slash-sexy space any longer. I mean, he does live with his sister, your best friend. That can’t be comfortable for anybody.”
I’m so thankful she let me crash here while I was vacationing but after the phone call with my boss last week, I knew I needed someplace more permanent.
It was official, I was back in Aurora indefinitely. Or at least until I found another job.
“Oh my god, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you! Ellie’s moved in with Michael. Well, she was staying there most nights anyway, so I didn’t see her all that much, but yeah, it was the buzz at the wedding reception. Plus, with the baby and everything… it just made sense, I guess.”
I’d thought for sure that it would’ve been Gabby who would’ve had the next announcement, after all, it was her wedding. Surprisingly none of the others are there just yet, although I have no doubt the next proposal won’t be too far in the future - especially with Ellie three months along.
I still can’t believe it.
I’m only a few years older than my cousin, but it’s crazy that her friends are already starting to settle down. It’s not the age that worries me, it’s that I’m older than them and they have their shit together better than I do. What worries me even more, I’m the most put-together person I know.
All my friends? They’re still in college, or they’re out partying every night and running late for their shift at Taco Bell the next day. Katie’s friends put mine to shame, but I still love them - they’re quirky.
And of course, that thought brings my mood down.
While over in California, I’d met an awesome couple of chicks, we’d have been well on our way to becoming close friends. Now, I may never see them again. Cali was a long way away...
“Hey, where were you by the way?” Katie pulls me back.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, where did you disappear to at the Christmas party?”
Shit.
My mind frazzles as I try to think quickly on my feet. I’m supposed to tell my cousin that I didn’t hang around her party because I went home with some random guy? I feel like that answer should be a ‘no’. When Katie swings around to look at me head-on, I know I’ve taken too long to answer.
“I just didn’t feel up to it, so I headed home early. It was lovely though, I couldn’t believe that was the same bar that we drink at.” I quickly pull the boxes of cereal out of the bag and turn to the pantry. The Pharell Williams song ‘Happy’ blares suddenly, Katie’s ringtone.
I release the heavy breath I’d been holding. Evan seriously could not have better timing. I peek over my shoulder to see Katie’s shit-eating grin as she turns, cellphone in hand, to walk out of the kitchen.
A massive wave of relief washes over me as I continue to unpack Katie’s groceries. There’s no need to make ripples where there doesn’t need to be any.
I don’t even have the excuse of being drunk, I’d only had two glasses of champagne.
I’ve had one-night stands before, but I’m really not a one-night stand kind of person. The last five guys I’ve slept with were all guys I’d been in relationships with. I know the appeal of avoiding commitment, but at the end of the day I like to cuddle, and you can’t do that with an empty bed.
No matter how many times you try, it’s just not the same.
I’d decided to take a hiatus from dating only weeks before I left California. Who knew Aurora, Illinois, was where all the good men were at - I certainly didn’t. If I had, I might not have left in the first place.
Actually, that’s not true. Maybe I just would have visited more often.
I grew up in Aurora with my four brothers. Living amongst all that testosterone, Katie was like a surrogate baby sister. After high school, I needed to get away, and I thought of no better place than the sunny west coast.
I’m still unsure if not giving Hayden my number was a good idea or not. We’ll most likely never see each other again, but… my mind still wonders. What if?
