He smiles as he reaches out and cups my face. “I love you both, and I want to protect you. When he…when he said those things, it made my blood boil. I couldn’t stop myself even if I tried.”
I immediately soften. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I find it so difficult; maybe I’m just too stubborn to be loved.” I give him a little self-deprecating laugh.
“Don’t do that. There is nothing that could make me fall out of love with you. You forget, Lacey, I’ve been your best friend all these years. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the gross, and I’m still here. You’re worth it, Lacey, and I’m so lucky you gave me a chance.”
I have no words that can describe how that makes me feel; they all pale in comparison, so I show him instead. Standing on my tiptoes and cupping either side of his face, I kiss him softly and slowly, languidly moving our tongues in a slow dance.
**********
“So, wait a minute. You’re telling me that this little shit stick rocks up to your apartmentandhe asks to bepaidto have nothing to do with his child?” Hayleigh’s face is turning redder by the minute, and her voice is getting louder. Because I can’t help it – if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry – so I start giggling.
“That’s about it, yeah.” My giggle turns into a full guffaw when she starts rolling her sleeves up.
“Okay, hitter, calm down.” Emmy tries to pacify her, unsuccessfully, might I add.
“No way! There is no way I am calming down after that. Who does he think he is? Why does he think he can get away with this? Where the hell was Cole during all of this?” Her questions are rapid fire.
Like she has done this a million times before, Emmy rolls her eyes and tugs on Hayleigh’s arm.
“Will you sit down? People are staring.” She laughs at the outraged look on Hayleigh’s face.
I pat her hand. “Thank you, both of you, for being such good friends. I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet…” I pause for dramatic effect and also because our drinks arrive at our table.
Hayleigh’s knee starts bouncing like crazy, and she gives me the look to hurry.
“Okay, so we’re talking at the door. Ted’s being all creepy and threatening, and I’m standing there, right, wishing I had woken Cole up. Anyway! Out of nowhere, Cole just says, ‘I thought she asked you to leave.’” I try and fail to sound as sexy as Cole in that moment, but my friends both have hearts in their eyes anyway. “Then Ted is like, ‘I was going anyway.’ Then Cole follows him outside!”
Hayleigh gasps, and Emmy clutches her coffee like this is the best story she has ever heard.
“What happened next?” Hayleigh, now calm and invested, waves her hand for me to carry on.
“Ted throws a punch–” Emmy gasps, and Hayleigh puts her hand over her mouth. “Cole dodges it, brings himself back up and punches Ted right in the stomach!” I imitate, very poorly, might I add, what Cole did.
“Fuck yeah!” Hayleigh whoops.
Emmy tuts and shakes her head. “Oh my gosh, did he fight him?”
I shake my head. “No, not only did Cole knock the wind out of Ted, he knocked his macho bullshit out of him, too. I’m glad,but I’m worried that we haven’t seen the last of him. He doesn’t seem the type to let things lie.”
“Well, you have plenty of people behind you if that happens, right, Em?” Emmy nods along with Hayleigh, and I feel a bit better.
“I don’t think it was such a good idea to drink coffee this close to our yoga appointment.” Emmy looks at her drink in disgust, and I stifle a laugh as I sip on my fresh orange.
“Are they going to be there?” Hayleigh’s eyebrow lifts as if she doesn’t believe it, and I nod.
“Yep, they don’t have a choice. They owe me for that stupid ‘spying’ debacle! They think I’ve forgotten about it, but they should know better.” I smile sweetly and grab my phone to make sure, opening the family chat.
Me
Don’t forget boys…yoga @ Petals Yoga Studio in 20 minutes! Don’t you dare think of skipping!
Cas
Emmy already reminded me, I’m ready. Gonna pick Archie & Nate up!
Ethan
*Indiana Jones whip gif*
