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She glances over the handheld mirror she’s holding, and says, “Hey.” But then she slowly lowers it and rests it on the counter. “Can I start since I don’t have much time?”
“Sure.” I set my backpack on the floor and strip off my jacket to hang it by the door.
As soon as I turn around, she rushes me, wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me to her like she’s grateful for the chance. “I’m so sorry, Lark.”
I drop the walls around my heart that I built on my walk home and hug her as tightly as I can. “I’m sorry, too, Amanda.”
She sniffles and leans back. “Why are you sorry? You did nothing wrong.”
“I’m sorry we had a fight. I’m sorry for not having our girls’ nights. I’m sorry for hurting your feelings.” I start to pace but stop instead of wearing out the floor. “I hate to think that I caused you pain.”
“I felt like you forgot me, like I wasn’t important now that you found someone to replace me, like I wasn’t your best friend anymore.”
Leaning against the counter in the kitchen, I stretch my legs across to the peninsula and balance with my feet anchored there. She comes in and sits opposite from me, just like old times.
I say, “You have never been forgotten, and you haven’t been replaced.” We reach toward each other and hold hands in the middle. We wouldn’t even be having this conversation if she weren’t up for it. I’m grateful she’s willing to nip this in the bud as soon as possible like I am. “You’re still my best friend, Amanda.”
“And you’re still mine. I’m sorry for acting so awful toward you. I feel terrible.” Her gaze dips to our hands, and she takes a breath. When she looks back up, she says, “I was jealous. You never go out, but somehow met a rich and gorgeous guy who cherishes you.”
Rich isn’t a quality of Harbor’s, but I have a feeling most people quantify as nothing more than his financial situation. I’m either going to get upset or let her discover how great he is, and that money has nothing to do with it. The latter sounds like the path to peace.
She asks, “What time is it?”
“Five oh five.”
Her legs drop, her feet landing on the floor. She leaves the kitchen and heads into her bedroom. “I can’t be late, or I’ll be fired. My manager has been on a rampage recently.”
I follow her but stop and lean against the doorframe. “I’m glad we talked.”
“Me too,” she says. “I’m sorry about the apartment as well. I take it that’s where you stayed last night.”
Memories of last night send delicious shivers up my spine. “Last night was . . .” I bite my lip and then smile.
“Oh my God!” Her shriek startles me. “Lark Summerlin, did you have sex?”
So excited to be able to share with her, I shake my hips. “I finally had sex with Harbor.”
She slams into me so hard that my back hits the frame when she hugs me. “I can’t believe it. This is the best.” But then she leans back suddenly and takes hold of my upper arms. “How are you?”
I finally feel free to fully embrace the change in me. “I feel . . .” I close my eyes the memory of how he kissed the side of my hip giving me tingles, and when he made me forget my name, I was only able to remember his as I called it out repeatedly. “I’m happy.”
Her smile softens as she looks at me. “I’m so happy for you.”
I start to giggle again. “I’m happy for me too.” I take her hand and give it a little squeeze. “I’m also happy for us, Amanda, but I don’t want to be blamed if you get fired, so shake a leg. You need to get going.”
“Dane’s giving me a ride.”
“I bet Mia loves that,” I say, sarcastically.
“Actually,” she starts, bending down to slip on her sneakers. “She’s been nice lately. Maybe she finally believes we’re not in competition with her.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I hum. “That’s interesting. Wonder why?”
“I’m not even bothering to try to figure her out. I’m just enjoying hanging out with Dane again.”
I move when she cuts down the hallway and grabs her purse from the peninsula. “Has he said anything about Harbor?”
She’s riffling through her bag but stops as if recalling a memory. “No. I don’t think he knows you’re dating him. I didn’t say anything because you know how he feels about people from The Pointe.” Swinging her bag over her shoulder, her arms go wide.
