They’re a great bunch of girls and we get along really well. I figured it might be a nice way to catch up before I leave and thank them for letting me hang out with them and being so kindthat night when I met them at the Italian pizza bar. The boys aren’t here tonight, it’s just a girls’ night out. Though Beth is chomping at the bit to see Jake again, she knows fine well his reputation, especially since he’s so new in the NHL and already renowned for his shenanigans, another reason which makes me want to steer clear of hockey guys.
The small flutter in my stomach when I think about Jay is becoming the norm for me. I don’t know if it’s the dancing that did it, or how he listened to me so intently when we had dinner, but something sure shifted and I’m trying my best to fight it.
There’s a bunch of reasons why it’s not a good idea, not only about his whole friendship with my brother, and the past history, but there’s that old fuck boy add age that I just can’t sweep under the carpet. Jay is more renowned than Jake Hudson for his escapades with women. There’s no way I want to be just another statistic, or a notch on his bedpost. The thought makes me shudder.
I need more than that. Sure, we have the friendship connection, but he hasn’t exactly been the poster-boy for meaningful relationships in his past. And maybe he doesn’t want to change that.
“You know, once you get your website and yoga app up and running, you can be based anywhere,” Beth says when we’re on our way downtown to meet the girls.
I glance at her as she keeps her eyes on the road. She’s hinted once or twice about staying with her if ever the need or want arose to come and stay in Seattle on a more permanent basis. “Yes, probably the moon would be a good place when I tell my folks what I’ve really been up to for the past few months. Though I’ve got a couple of friends back in San Diego, I could hide out with them instead of emigrating.”
She swats me playfully as my mind casts back to the fact I haven’t caught up with two of my best friends I’ve known forever, Evelyn and Leila.
“You worry too much,” she tsks at me. “Aren’t I always the one telling you to live a little?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s your walking mantra,” I laugh.
“Just know the offer is there, J. I mean it, if you need a change and want to come and live with me for a while, I’m more than happy to do so. Winston won’t mind, either.”
That’s her little brown rag doll cat who spends most of his time asleep on the end of the couch with his fluffy blanket.
“You know how much I’d love to be with Winston every day.”
“Hey!” she protests. “What am I? Chopped liver!”
I can’t hide my amusement as I shake my head. “I didn’t mean it like that. I appreciate it, B. I really do, and I’d love to take you up on your offer, but I gotta sort some shit out when I go home first.”
“Take all the time you need. By the way, I can’t help but notice you’ve had a spring in your step since the other night. Are you sure it wasn’t more than a hot shoe shuffle and Japanese food with Jay?”
I laugh, tipping my head back. Oh lord, not her, too. “You sound as bad as Jay with the hot shoe shuffle. I can’t get him to stop saying cha-cha-cha. And no, there was nothing cooking between us other than the dancing and great food.”
“Not even a little bit?”
I sigh and look out the window at the darkening sky above us, dusk falling with every passing second. I see my reflection in the glass, my eyes blinking back at myself, my lip curling under while I think about my answer. My pause must say it all.
“Jay is awesome,” I say. “But it would be stupid to even think it. He’s just not a relationship kinda guy and there’s no wayI’m ready to venture into anything with anyone after my last disaster.”
“You can’t tar them all with the same brush, isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”
My lips twitch, okay, well she’s got me there. “Touché, bestie. But I’m happy as I am, B. I promise.” I nudge her with my elbow and we both giggle. “Now, what was that you were saying about Jake Hudson?”
The girls are waiting for us when we arrive, they’ve grabbed a table over by the corner in MO’s Burger Bar, which is practically famous around these parts for their vast selection of home made burgers with brioche buns and chilli fries.
Maddison is absolutely glowing as we all hug and get reacquainted. When she grabs us all a round of drinks and passes them around, I can’t help but notice her diamond wedding rings are just about blinding. Em is engaged too, Taylor proposed on the ice not long after they got back together after six years apart. It’s a long story, but they truly are in love and from what she’s told me, I know they’d never let it slip away again.
“So how did your families react to you guys getting both engaged and married on vacation?” Beth asks Maddie, intrigued, right after we’ve ordered our meals.
Mads blows out a breath as we all listen in. She tucks a strand of her curly golden hair behind her ear and rubs her hands together excitedly. “Well, I called my folks just after Ashton proposed,” she says. “And I know people might say it was too soon and all… but we’re head over heels for each other. We wanted to make it official with just the two of us. My parents were shocked, but we promised them to have a proper weddingwhen we got back, and we did, just last month. It was small but lovely with just family and friends.”
“That’s so romantic,” I sing, clapping my hands together. “He seems really sweet.”
“He’s definitely a keeper.”
“They’ve only had eyes for each other since the day they met,” Em muses as she tells us about the whole team jersey thing when Mads had no idea who Ashton was when she wore his number. My mind flashes to what it would be like to wear Jay’s jersey with number 88 on the back.
“Speak for yourself,” Mads jokes, elbowing her friend. “And Cindy here is no better, she and Ty really found a sneaky way around that non-fraternization contract.”
Cindy laughs, pressing a palm over her face. Her long, sleek black hair tied up in a high ponytail. She works in administration and had her first real run in with Ty when she spilled her coffee all over him, and he didn’t even care. They skirted around dating for a while before things got leaked and she had to confront her dad, the coach, who wasn’t too happy about them keeping things from him.
