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Lexie
Lexiestoodbackand sipped her coffee as the sounds of laughter filled her home. She found herself smiling–truly smiling for the first time since losing Oliver. Her friends often brought the calmness and warmth her soul needed as they brightened everything around her. Sedona’s wedding was such a highlight for the entire friend group. While everything appeared to be going well for each member, having something positive to focus on was never a bad thing. The wedding was one of those long-awaited events they had all been building towards. In four short months, things would again be different.
She never thought marriage or kids would change their friendships, but after marrying Oliver, there had definitely been a shift. They had all remained friends through her marriage, but she had become a joint unit with Oliver, no longer a free bird, no longer just herself. Lexie had longed to have Oliver around her and found it hard to leave him behind for girls’ nights every weekend or a party at the lakehouse.
She had envisioned what life would be like once Sedona and Eagle were married so they could go on double dates, but now, she was once again the fifth wheel. Everyone else had paired off—Eagle and Sedona, Kennedy and Adam, and Avanna and Payson. There were no single friends left now except for Lexie and Nav, which made things awkward.
“So Ken, how’s Arizona treating you? I still can’t believe you guys moved out there,” Lexie said as she lowered herself onto the plush couch in the living room.
Kennedy snorted as she propped her legs up onto the coffee table in the center of the room. “Actually, it’s amazing. I have been at Ev3 for a little over a year now. It’s a good environment and having my fiance as my boss makes things easier,” she said with a wink.
“So what exactly do you do?” Avanna asked.
“Ah, I’m in charge of the training for the development of new apps—mainly ensuring everything is up to standards and works effectively. I do a lot of creating, but I also do a lot of monitoring and training. Adam has slowly started moving back into his role as head of the company, but mainly spends time working on the house.”
“I’ve seen some of your photos of the property, it’s a beautiful home,” Avanna said.
“It really is! He’s done such a great job. But if we’re going to talk about a beautiful home, I don’t think we can just skate over your new place!” Kennedy said as she tipped her head toward Avanna.
Avanna smiled. “It’s so nice to be out of Beau’s house. If I’m being honest, a cardboard box would have been fine!” She laughed, pausing momentarily. “No, we absolutely love the house. Payson hired some contractors to come in and make sure the house was accessible with his wheelchair so all the accommodations throughout are nice for him to be able to be completely comfortable.”
“I’m sure that’s relieving for him. How’s he liking his job at the university?” Sedona asked as her eyes connected with Avanna’s.
“I think he’s really enjoying it. A lot different than what he was doing back in the City, but he was so thankful he made connections with Oliver. Being able to coach is, and has been, his dream for so long. I enjoy seeing him in that element.” Avanna smiled genuinely at Lexie at the mention of Oliver.
“Of course, I always loved watching Oliver coach, too!” Lexie exclaimed with a knowing grin.
As the silence began to envelop the room, the doorbell rang alerting all the girls to turn their heads toward the foyer. Lexie stood up promptly and shuffled to the door, opening it to reveal Eagle.
“Let’s goooo!” Eagle yelled out. “Who needs help with bags?” he asked as he stepped over the threshold, barely giving Lexie time to acknowledge he was in her home.
Lexie motioned to her bags near the door. “Mine are there, but I can grab them after I close up the house.”
“No way, we’ll get them. What about you ladies?” he asked with a smile as his eyes connected with Sedona’s.
“Hi sweetie, they’re all in the Jeep out in the driveway,” Sedona said.
Eagle leaned in toward Sedona for a kiss and grabbed Lexie’s bag before walking out toward the driveway. Lexie rolled her eyes and began to turn off the lights and raised the thermostat. She made sure the garage door and back doors were locked before stepping out front and locking the door behind her.
Facing the driveway, Lexie heard the sound of giggles coming from the girls as they approached the limo. The wheels of the suitcases rolled against her smooth driveway as Eagle pulled them toward the trunk. She took several steps down the path in front of her house before stopping in her tracks as she felt her heart begin to race. She couldn’t pinpoint why and was almost immediately ashamed for feeling the heat rise to her cheeks as her eyes connected with Navs. He was standing on the other side of Eagle, loading luggage. He looked the same as he did the last time she saw him, just less wet.Time stood still as every memory flooded to the front of her mind. All the longing touches, all the stolen kisses, all the drunken nights together. His lips tilted into a slight smile as he grazed his eyes up and down her body in a smooth motion. A shudder spread through her own body as the butterflies in her stomach grew to life.
Despite the heartbreak she had felt the night Nav left town, he still held a special place in her heart. He was an attractive, kind-hearted man and she found it hard not to love him. He didn’t express his feelings well and often side-stepped away from any confrontation. She took a deep breath and walked straight for the limo where the other girls had congregated. It was going to be a long week, of that she was sure.
