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“He would have wanted you to celebrate.” Lily offers me a small smile. She’s trying to get me out of my head.
If anyone knows how much my father meant to me, it’s her and our other friend, Asher. They both have been my friends since before Dad died.
We all met the first day of freshman year.
Lily was my roommate, and our friend Asher...
We met him that first meal in the cafeteria, and after a heated debate over whether sweet potato fries or tater tots were better, he’s never left our side.
Which is why they showed up at my apartment today, forced me to get dressed, and dragged me out. Which I appreciate. Still, I can’t help the heavy feeling in my heart.
He should be alive to celebrate with me. “I know, but—”
“No buts. This is why Asher and I forced you to come out. You deserve this job, and there is no way we were going to let you stay home feeling sad while eating a whole pint of ice cream.”
“I wouldn’t eat thewholething.”
“You forget Asher and I have been with you every year. Sometimes you eat two pints.”
My free hand reaches out, and I take hers in mine. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For always being there. You and Asher . . . I don’t know how I would have made it this far without you.” My throat feels dry, and I can feel my vision become fuzzy from the unshed tears. I blink, and one slips down my cheek.
Lily gives my hand a squeeze. “There will be none of that. No thank you and no tears.”
“Fine. Speaking of Asher, where did he go? He was just here, and now, he’s gone.”
She blinks several times, taking a sip of her drink. “Why would I know?”
Inclining my head, I give her a look that says I’m not buying it. Her head swivels around the room, evading my heavy stare.
Like she doesn’t know where he is.
We might all be best friends, but Lily... well, she’s been in love with him the whole time.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Are we really still playing this game?” Lily’s eyes widen as she nervously chews on her bottom lip while toying with the ends of her long, red hair. “Oh, there he is now,” I say and wave Asher over.
From the corner of my eye, I notice that Lily sits up a little straighter. Her shoulders go back, and her breasts jut out as she straightens the collar of her black button-down dress.
Unfortunately for Lily,Asher’s a player. At this stage of his life, she has no shot with him.
“Hey, hey, there’s my girl,” he says, gliding up beside me. “Getting wasted without me?”
I shrug.
“Harsh.” He laughs.
“Lily’s trying to keep my spirits up.”
Asher's smile drops, and he wraps his hand around my shoulder. “He would have been so proud.”
“Thanks,” I mouth back and then hold up my glass. “You drinking?”
“You know it.” He drops his arm from around me and starts to wave down the bartender.
Asher orders himself a beer and pulls up a barstool. “Congratulations, Miss Raven Bennett. You’re officially employed.”
