My shoulders relax, and my gaze softens.
“I read your message on IG. I thought about you a lot over the years.” My voice breaks. She stares at me in shock. I stare back at her. Tears well in her eyes. She looks at the marble floors, then back at me.
“Me too. I’ve missed you so much. I’m sorry for abandoning you, Pai—”
“I’m Lilac now,” I correct.
“Sorry. Lilac. I’m sorry for listening to my parents.”
I don’t know what to say. Awkwardness settles between us.
We stare at each other longer. She steps closer. Closer to me. At first, I don’t know what to do, so I stand there for several seconds, then hug her. I feel her warm body against mine. The scent of her daisy perfume. The coconut oil on her skin. She really is here.
Tears slide down my face faster. She hugs me back. I accept her warm embrace. I don’t care what has happened between us. I will always love Ally.
I smile through my tears. Step back. My fingers intertwine with hers.
“We can catch up. You can stay with us until you head back to Yale.” I gauge her reaction.
She nods. “I’m moving out here. I talked to my folks. I’m transferring to North Haven University next semester. I want to be close to my spiritual sister.”
Someone clears their throat. I glance up. Ambrose stands next to Irvin, waving at me. I wave back.
Irvin studies Ambrose. He doesn’t like men having my attention.
I hug him. “Ambrose.”
“Hey, babe.”
Irvin shoots him a glare. “It’s Lilac to you.”
He shakes his head. “Is he always this unhinged?”
I shrug. “Yeah, but I like it.”
“I’m sorry I dismissed you when you called. I heard what happened. I’m sorry for what Emerson did to you.”
“It’s water under the bridge now,” I confirm. “How long are you going to be staying?”
“Just for a week, then I’m going back to Buckhead. It was good seeing you. We can hang out like we did in high school. You can show me around. I heard there are a lot of hot women here at North Haven University.”
I shake my head. Ambrose hasn’t changed. Still chasing ass.
I turn toward Irvin, then wrap my arms around him. “Thank you. I love you so much, Irvin.”
“I love you too, my love.”
They walk into the living room. Irvin sits between Ambrose and me, side-eyeing him.
“So, I’m going to stay on campus. I want to eat at the best restaurants,” Ally says. “Do they have any good soul food here?”
I shake my head. “No. It doesn’t taste as good as back at home.”
“Bummer.”
I nod.
“My parents told me to tell you that they are sorry for making me stop being friends with you. They want to fly out here to see you, especially my mother. She always loved you like you were her own.”
