“I know.” My voice was soft. “I guess I’m just scared. Things are going really well, and I don’t want anything to ruin it.”
“Nothing will. Look,” Erin shifted forward, putting her hand on my knee, “you can go into meeting Mateo’s family already thinking they won’t like you, having walls up, and ready to bolt at any given moment—which might ruin things between you two—or, you can go in a little cautious but open. Meet the people that have made Mateo who he is and just enjoy yourself.”
Her words buried themselves in my chest. She was right, even if that stubborn part of myself that liked to self-sabotage disagreed.
“You never know, maybe you’ll find that they’re amazing and you fit right in.”
I closed my eyes and let out a groan. “Why do you have to be so wise?”
“Because I just am.” I didn’t have to open my eyes to know Erin had a grin on her face. “I just want you to be happy, Em, okay?”
With a sigh, I sat up on my elbows and gave her a soft smile. “I know. Thank you for talking me off the ledge.”
“That’s what best friends are for.” She squeezed my knee. “You got yourself one of the hottest athletes on the planet, like hell I’d let you ruin it.”
I laughed, completely agreeing with her. Mateo really was the best.
“Plus, I’m still enjoying Jake and Perry. Can’t let you get in the way of that.”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you still seeingbothof them?” I didn’t typically see Erin shy, but she dipped herhead, a giddy smile taking residence on her face. She tucked a stray brown curl behind her ear.
“I am. It’s been…fun.”
“Fun?” I prodded. If I told her about my love life, sex included, she had to spill hers.
“I knew athletes had great stamina but…” Erin shook her head. “These two are on another level. It’s like they never tire out. As soon as one is done the other takes his place. I was surprised that I could walk the other day,” Erin admitted.
I chuckled. “It sounds like you’ve had a great time with them.”
“Yeah.” Erin smiled, but there was something in her expression that made me sit all the way up. Doubt? Apprehension?
“Is this a temporary thing or…” I trailed off.
“I don’t know.” Her voice was soft. By the way her shoulders were slightly hunched, I wondered what happened in the last two weeks since she started seeing them. Have I been so consumed by my own love life that I haven’t been paying attention to my best friend’s?
“E, is there anything you want to talk about?” While we did tell each other everything, I knew when not to push her to talk. Erin was the type to deal with things internally first, to get a hold of her emotions before she talked about them.
“No… I…” She hesitated enough to make me reach out and squeeze her knee this time. “I’m okay. I need to think through some things, and then I’ll tell you.” When she met my eyes, a silent plea to let it go was there. I’d respect her wish, even though I wanted to know what was making my friend act unlike herself.
“Okay, I’m here whenever you’re ready.” I gave her knee a pat and offered a reassuring smile.
“How about we order some Thai food and watchThe Great British Bake Off?” Erin suggested.
“Sounds good to me. Mateo is having dinner with his family tonight since they flew in a few hours ago, so I’m yours all night.”
“Wow, all night long, huh? Can have my wicked way with you,” she teased, a bit of her sparkle coming back now that the conversation about Jake and Perry was pushed to the side.
“You know it. You can show me all the stamina you’ve built the last two weeks.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her, earning me a laugh.
“You have no idea.” With a grin and a shake of her head, she slid off my bed and headed for the door. She paused before she left, glancing at me over her shoulder. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Only a handful of times. Could start saying it more, though,” I remarked.
“Noted. I’ll go order our usual while you text your boyfriend.”
“I wasn’t going to text him,” I sputtered.
“Yes, you were.” Erin rolled her eyes. “Tell him hi.” With that, she turned and left my room.
