She shakes her head, a small smile arching the corners of her mouth. “No, just sad, I guess. We both fell for men we shouldn’t.”
I nod, looking into space.
“So, you have been sneaking out all this time to see him?”
“Yes.” I shrug. “I lost my mind. I keep telling him we have no future, yet he sucks me back in, and I am powerless to resist him.”
She nudges my side playfully. “They’re good at that, aren’t they?”
We eye each other, two women who are completely over their heads. We burst out laughing, the sound ringing with hysteria, then we drop onto our backs, staring at the ceiling.
She sighs, and I turn to her. “What is it?”
“I wish for things I’ll never have. A closer relationship with my brother. A love that is in the open.”
I hug her. “I’m so scared,” I whisper.
“Me too,” she whispers back.
She’s the one who stands up first, being so much braver than I am.
“Okay, let’s go out. I need something to drink.”
I glance at my coursework piled on my desk, but I can do it later. I really need to be more careful. Maybe with some liquid courage, I can tell him I won’t be able to meet him over the weekend. Plus, I must gather myself not to show anything around my parents.
Rummaging in her closet, she pulls out two dresses.
“Evie.”
She arches a brow, propping a hand on her waist. “You owe me this.”
“Sure.” I send her a knowing smile. “You’re lucky I love you.”
She tosses one dress at me, and I catch it midway. “Shut up. You’re boning my brother. Ick.”
I laugh. “We’re taking it slow, kind of dating.”
Her features melt into a dreamy expression, genuinely happy for me. “Aww, kind of romantic.”
I change into the black mini-dress and slip into some heels as she finishes putting on light makeup.
Then, she pats the chair in front of her and works on my hair and makeup.
Arms looped together, we walk toward the campus bar.
Inside, the music blares even on a Thursday night, the students starting the weekend early.
At the bar, Evie instantly piques the attention of the bartender, who tries to flirt with her, but she doesn’t return it, asking for two shots.
Clinking them, we toss the amber drinks back, and a shudder runs through me, not a fan of hard liquor.
She grabs my hand, and we keep dancing and drinking, the night passing in a blur as we enjoy some much-needed girls’ time.
I ignore the phone that won’t stop vibrating in my clutch, wishing to be present for my best friend smiling through her pain like a terrific actor.
“Evie?”
She squeezes her eyes shut for a moment. “Don’t…”
