Five years later.
2007
Present day.
I STARED at the perfectivory door in front of me, duffle bag slung over my shoulder and rolling suitcase resting at my side. Ally’s apartment building, so far, was perfect. Humble and charming. The doorman had let me in with no questions asked after giving him my name. Ally had stated three years ago that wherever she lived, I would always have entrance there. I was glad she had taken it literally. Especially, after how things had changed.
I bit my lip as the memories rushed again, as they had for years now.
“Honey, I’ve met someone,” Ally spoke quietly while I tried not to choke on the hot chocolate I drank. “I…I love her. I tried to wait. But…it’s been so long…I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, but she’s the one.” Her voice tapered off.
I stared blindly. “Her name?” I didn’t know how I spoke, but I did. My heart clenched in agony.
“Samantha,” Ally whispered. “Samantha Blake.”
She wouldn’t meet my eyes, but suddenly she smiled. A smile of a woman in love. And my heart burned.
“You will always be welcomed in my home, Ember. Sam knows about you. It was so hard to make this choice.” Ally cleared her throat and blinked rapidly. “I still love you so very much.”
But, not enough.
I fainted.
I rubbed my eyes to wash the memories away. It had been long ago. That had been the last and only time I had seen her. Wekept in contact. There was too much history between us not to. I still loved her, but she had moved on. My love had changed too. We still belonged to one another but as friends. A true friendship that couldn’t be broken. But life and time had changed us. I had taken too long.
Now, I stood in front of her doorway in New York City, where she lived with her “one and only”. Lord, help me, but I was scared to knock. It was late. I glanced at my watch. 2:00AM. Very late, or extremely early. Depending on how you looked at it. Maybe I should find a hotel and come back tomorrow. That would be the polite thing to do. I nodded to myself and grabbed my rolling suitcase and turned toward the elevators.
I was halfway there when I stopped dead in my tracks. If I was being honest with myself, I was only leaving because I was afraid whatSamanthamight think.
Well, the heck with that.
I didn’t give a flying you-know-what, what she thought. This was Ally’s place after all. To the fiery place with Samantha. I wanted in. Now. Not tomorrow. It had been a long hard drive to even get here. And I had been scared out of my ever-lovin’ mind for half the trip. I needed my friend.
I stomped back and rapped my knuckles loudly on the door and waited. Ally didn’t know I was coming. What would she think? Would she be upset I just showed up? And more importantly, what did herSamanthalook like? I bet she was beautiful. Had to be.
Dread uncurled in my stomach, and I rubbed in absently, ignoring the bruise I had there--one in a million in my lifetime.
Light footsteps echoed behind the door just as I was bringing my hand up to knock again.
“Who’s there?” I heard a muffled feminine voice ask. Samantha. Ally’s voice was dipped in southern, like mine. This one had a faint British accent.Wonderful.
“Ember. I’m a friend of Ally’s,” I spoke clear and loud, all the while hoping like heck I didn’t wake her neighbors.
Chains rattled and the deadbolt unlatched. The door swung open and I was face to face with my replacement. My heart sank. She was more than beautiful. She was exquisite. Even though I had come to accept nothing would ever happen between Ally and me, it’s still hard to have the woman look so darn good. Why couldn’t she have been a little ugly? A crooked nose or a unsightly birthmark was too much to ask, I guess.
Instead, in front of me stood a brunette of about 5’ 9” – right about Ally’s height, perfect cheekbones, green glittering eyes – even if she looked tired, porcelain skin, lush lips, luscious curves that weren’t hidden beneath her satin robe, and legs that went on forever. And a baseball bat clutched in one perfectly manicured hand.Whoa!
I glanced up at her warily. She couldsotake me down in a heartbeat. My 5’ 2”, thin frame had nothing on her. But, she didn’t look like she was going to use it. Her eyes were roving over me, just as I had checked her out moments before. Intelligence gleamed there. Yeah, she knew who I was. Slowly, she set the baseball bat against the wall.
Her eyes met mine.
There was a challenge in their emerald depths.
I knew she was warning me off. She didn’t need to. Ally had already told me who she wanted.
And it wasn’t me.
“I’m assuming you’re Samantha?” I asked. When she nodded, I stuck out my hand. “It’s nice to me you. I’m Ember Taylor. Sorry to drop by so late. I just made it into town.” Not really so sorry, but hey, it’s sounded polite and all.
