AllFreeNovel
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“Well, I’m not really in it. We’re not together or anything.”
“Oh, no. You were serious about that?”
“We have an agreement to keep it casual. Just friends. A way for me to get over Kyle.”
“That’s utter bullshit.”
“How?”
“Because you can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Ellie, come on. I know you. I know you like him. How can you possibly just spend time with him, kiss him, have sex, andnothave it lead to more?”
“Because I can,” I tell her. “I have to.”
“Youhaveto? Why? I know you said you need a distraction, but why does that mean you have to keep yourself at a distance?”
“Because I need to. I don’t want to get hurt again.”
“I think it’s inevitable.”
“Maybe. But when I’m with him, I’m not thinking about how Kyle cheated on me, or the fact that I just up and moved here with no plan. I know I have this now,” I say, spreading my arms out to indicate the café, “but I still feel like my life is a mess of uncertainties. But when I’m with him, all of those uncertainties are silenced.”
She pulls me in for a hug. “I get that,” she says softly. “Just be careful, and let me know if you need me for anything, okay?”
“I will.”
“What’s all of this?” Courtney asks, coming out from the kitchen.
“Oh, nothing,” I say quickly.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the hunky Tyler Taylor, would it? Because I stopped by the station this morning to drop something off for Jack and he looked awfully happy.”
“Did he, now?” Ally asks, smiling.
“Yup. I’m thinking it has to do with your little secret dates over the weekend.”
Ally nudges me. “It does.”
“Guys, come on,” I sigh, pushing past them and into the kitchen. But they just follow me.
“He cooked me dinner, we ate cake, and we had sex,” I tell Courtney. Short and to the point. I’m trying not to make it a big deal. Because it isn’t.
“WHAT?! Yes! I so called this since last year at your wedding, Ally. They were acting too cute and shit for it to not be something more.”
“It isn’t more,” I tell her quickly. “Him and I aren’t anything.”
“Yeah, Courtney, they’re just friends who want to fuck each other into oblivion whenever they want. But nothing more.”
“Oh, my.” Fanning herself, Courtney grips the edge of the counter for dramatic effect.
“Alright, let’s just get to work. My love life is not up for discussion anymore. I’m doing what I think I need right now, and you won’t sway me on that.”
“Fine,” they both say together, but I know the subject is only dropped for now.
After we put two cakes and two dozen cupcakes in the oven, the new girl Courtney hired yesterday walks into the kitchen.
