Page 23 of Trip Through Your Wires

She flashes me a smile and throws her arms around me. “I love you, Jen.”

“I love you right back, Elle.”

She squeezes me tight, then pulls back. “Man,” I click my tongue, while shaking my head, “you are boobalicious in that outfit, my friend.”

“Me,” she snorts. “You’re the one that’s going to kill it with those amazing legs and ass. And it’s a good thing too because there will be a lot of girls dressed to impress.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that,” I laugh. “Cruz’s eyes are always only on you.”

“I wasn’t talking about him.” She pushes up from the bed and makes her way over to the high dresser on the other side of the room.“I was talking about Jake.”

“God,” I groan and fall back on the bed, fanning my arms out. “Not this again.”

“Hey,” she yanks open the top drawer. “I’m sure there are a lot of girls anxious to get a ride on that horse before he leaves.”

Jake and I may talk every night, but I don’t ask about his love life, and he doesn’t ask about mine. Still, I can’t deny the way her suggestion makes my cheeks warm.

“Is he still the myth, the man, the legend?” I ask as casually as I can, trying not to sound too curious.

“I knew it!” She slams the drawer shut and spins around. “You do like him.”

I push up from the bed and make my way over to where she’s standing. “Okay, you got me. I like him. In fact, I am crazy about him. I can’t wait until he goes pro so I can put his poster on the wall above my bed and dream about having his babies. Is that what you want to hear?”

“Here.” She sticks her hand out, with a roll of her eyes. “I got you something.”

“What’s that?” I look down and see a black velvet box in her hand.

“It’s for you.”

“Elle,” I shake my head.

“Oh, just take it.” She thrusts the box in my hand and after staring at her for a moment, nods for me to open it.

“They’re friendship necklaces,” she explains when I open the box and find a gold round pendant divided into halves, each engraved with the first letter of our names.”

I look up and swallow, throat thick with tears.

“If you think they’re dumb, we can—”

“I love them,” I cut her off.

“Are you sure?” she asks hesitantly.

I throw my arms around her and give her another hug. “I couldn’t love anything more.”

We stand there holding onto one another as if we’re afraid to let go. “No matter what happens,” she whispers, “you’re stuck with me for life, Jen. The day we met you didn’t just heal my heart. You became a part of it.”

Her words reach into my chest and squeeze my heart. I never expected our friendship, but now that it is a part of my life, I can’t imagine ever being without it.

“And to answer your question,” she adds, “he doesn’t party the way he used to and he hasn’t brought anyone home. But that won’t last. He’s a catch, Jen, and guys like him don’t stay single forever.”

The relief I feel when she confirms Jake hasn’t been with anyone is surprising. But her comment about him not being single forever ….well, I don’t know how that makes me feel.

“Turn around,” I clear my throat.

She does as I ask, and with her back turned to me, I grab the piece with the first letter of my name engraved on it, set the box down on the bed and bring the necklace up and over her head, and fasten the clasp. When done, she turns back around and takes the other piece out of the box and does the same to me.

“They look good,” she smiles with approval as we stand there facing one another.

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