“Why do you have to find a new place? From how you sounded talking about them I’d imagine they’re in no rush to make you leave. So why leave?”
I leveled her with a look. “Be rational. Once I’m healed there’s no reason to stay other than I want to. The relationship is still so new. Wouldn’t it be weird living here when we’ve barely been together as an actual thing longer than a day?”
Alice’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “So youarea thing. Which one? Darren right? That kiss on the head was far too affectionate for only friends.”
My lips pressed together tightly. I wasn’t exactly sure how to broach this with my best friend. Would she think less of me knowing I was pretty much dating two men and crushing hardcore on a third? This just wasn’t normal.
Alice watched me like she was dissecting me with her eyes, curiosity evident in her stare. “Hmm, so not Darren? Porter then? I could see that. Darren’s got that tall and broody sexiness, but Porter feels more your style. Humorous, outgoing, and a total teddy bear. Bet he’d be amazing in bed.”
I choked a bit on that last comment, but still said nothing as she continued to ponder.
“Maybe Alden though. He’s definitely the quiet one, but he’s got this silent but delicious thing to him that’s got a ton of appeal.”
She was so far from what Alden was really like. He was a ton more playful than Porter with all his pranks and childlike love for cereal.
Alice threw her hands up in defeat. “I give. Tell me who you’re dating.”
I cleared my throat and readied myself to drop the truth bomb. “So, it’s a bit complicated. But…” I paused, trying my best not to chicken out. This was Alice. My best friend and the least judgmental person I knew. I could tell her this, right?
“I swear, I might just throttle you if you keep me waiting any longer, woman.”
“Okay, okay!” I laughed. It was now or never. “I slept with Porter last night.”
“Yes! Please tell me it was as good as I’m imagining,” she said seriously.
“Hold on, I’m not finished.”You can do this, Sophia.“This morning I agreed to date both him and Darren. At the same time. And they both know about the arrangement.”
Alice’s mouth dropped open, then closed again, then fell open once more. “Holy shit.”
“I know.”
“You’re dating two men? Two?”
“Yes. And majorly crushing on Alden, but he just broke it off with his long time girlfriend, so I’m not too sure if that’ll happen.” It was better to just tell her everything at this point.
“Huh.” She was silent for a moment, then, “I’m officially jealous. Why can’t I have your life? I mean, minus a creepy fucking stalker who sets your house on fire then mine—which by the way is an excellent reasonnotto move out. At least not until he’s dealt with. I feel better knowing you’ve got three hunky men protecting you.”
I looked her over with amazement. “So you don’t think I’m the sluttiest person in the world dating two men while wishing I was also dating a third?”
Alice threw her head back and laughed. “Are you fucking kidding me? Sophia Harding, you are one of the most genuinely, loving, and compassionate people I’ve ever known and will ever know. You have so much love to give that it makes sense to me that no single person could ever deserve all that love. If these men treat you right and you want this and are happy, then I support you one million percent.”
Tears formed in my eyes and rolled down my cheeks at her response. How could I ever think Alice wouldn’t be there for me no matter what? She wasn’t normally a mushy person, so to hear such a stunningly sweet and emotional statement from her meant the world to me. I was beyond lucky to have her as a friend and one of the most important people in my life.
I yanked her into me for a hug, squeezing her hard. “Thank you, Alice. I love you.”
“Love you too, Soph.”
We sat like this for a bit, just reveling in our beautiful friendship that people could go a lifetime without. When I let her go, she gave me a stern look.
“Now, I think you’ve held out on me long enough about how Porter was in bed. A best friend shares.” She smirked a wicked smile. “I mean you would know since best friends shareyou.”
And just like that the smartass I knew and loved was back.
The rest of the afternoon was spent being interrogated about my new relationship and snacking on large amounts of junk food. It was probably one of my favorite afternoons in a long time.
The Arsonist
So close. I’m so close to finding you. My therapist says good things come to those who work hard for what they want. And I want you so badly it hurts to even breathe. So working harder is what I’ll do until I have you.
