Page 43 of Pages of Amber

His answering smile was mischievous. “Weird way to ask me out but I’ll take it.”

“What are you talking about? This isn’t a date.”

“Sure it isn’t.”

“I’m serious. It isn’t a date,” Amber said to his back as he began to walk in the direction of his car.

With a jerk of his fingers over his head, he said, “Don’t stand me up, m’lady. You’ll break my heart.”

He couldn’t be serious. Of course it wasn’t a date. He had to know that, but why was she so pressed to make that point to him? Ignoring the heat in her cheeks, Amber headed over to Beverly.

“Hey,” she said when she caught her friend’s eye.

Beverly waved back, a smile on her lips. It dipped slightly when her eyes traveled briefly over Amber’s shoulder. Her gaze reconnected to Amber’s before she could see what distracted her. “Hi. It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

Amber laughed. “I know. It’s just been crazy recently. There’s an audition at the theatre and I’ve been so busy practicing–”

“–with Evelyn. Yeah, I know. Lexi mentioned it.”

An unusual quiet fell between them where Amber staggered for her next words. Beverly continued before she could collect herself. “And Noah? What’s the deal with him? The real deal, Amber. Not whatever twisted version of the truth you told us at the lunch table.”

Amber hesitated. Of course Beverly hadn’t bought into her spiel of Noah approaching her because he needed help with feedback from students. Amber wanted to smack herself. For years she and Beverly had done everything together. They knew each other so well. How could she have thought to get away with her half-truth?

Beverly mistook her hesitance and backed away, a hurt look on her face. “You don’t have to tell me. I only thought… It’s nothing. Forget it.”

“No. I want to tell you, Bev. I’ve wanted to tell you from the start.”

“So why didn’t you?” Her gaze ran over Amber’s face like she expected the answers to be written there. “Is it something bad? I wouldn’t care if it was. I thought you of all people would know that.”

The smile that graced Amber’s face was sad. “Of course I know that. You’re a great friend, Beverly. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”

A slight pause. Then a gleam in her friend’s eyes. “I could forgive you but a little incentive wouldn’t hurt.” She shook her head, an oh-so-innocent look on her face. “Like say an ice cream bribe?”

A laugh pushed out of Amber, relief heavily intertwined. “Fine. Let’s go find you a bribe.”

“What? Work with Noah? But the two of you can barely stand each other or at least you couldn’t before. Now everywhere I look, I’m seeing the two of you walking the halls together. Don’t even get me started on the interview. I was as shocked as the rest of the school.”

The air in the Scoop Parlor was chilly to match the frozen treats in their hands.

“I’m sorry, Bev. I bet you didn’t enjoy that at all, did you?”

“Of course not. I mean, it’s me. I’m Beverly Liu. I always know what’s going on and if I don’t, then I have my ways of finding out. It felt so weird hearing all these things about you and not even knowing what was happening because you barely spoke to me.”

Amber couldn’t hide her wince. “All of it is my fault, I know. Will you forgive me now?” Her gaze dropped to the chocolate chip ice cream that reminded her of Evelyn. “I bet the ice cream is pretty tasty.”

“It is,” Beverly moaned in delight as she took another bite. “I fully forgive you.” Amber’s giggle died out when Beverly turned serious. She lowered her spoon.

“Honestly, Amber. I thought you were still mad at what I said before about your mom and stuff. I didn’t mean to dump all that on you. I shouldn’t have done it. I was concerned and yes, a little angry but I didn’t mean to chase you away. I’ve wanted to talk to you so many times these past few weeks but Lexi mentioned you’d been hanging out with Evelyn lately and I felt… I don’t know. I thought you’d replaced me.”

The admission came out on a whisper. Beverly had sunk into her seat with every word, her shoulders hunched up. Amber’s chest tightened. She had never meant to hurt her friend. Reaching out, she grasped Beverly’s hands on the table.

“I could never replace you. Like you said, you’re Beverly Liu. There’s only one of you and that’s the awesome, amazing, slightly crazy girl who jumped me the first day of freshman year and has been my best friend ever since.” The two girls smiled at each other. Amber squeezed her hand tighter. “I mean it, Bev. I’m so sorry for cutting you out and I promise it won’t happen again. In fact, I’ll introduce you to Evelyn. You’ll love her. You both love Welsh corgis, you both think Taylor Swift is the hottest thing to exist since toasted bread, and you two might probably kill for a pair of Jimmy Choo heels.”

Beverly gasped in excitement. “Because they are the best kind! I need to meet her. Now.”

“I knew you would.” Amber laughed. “We’ll plan a hangout too. Lexi won’t be happy to be dragged along for a shopping trip though.”

Beverly stuck out her tongue. “She’ll live. She steals all our fashion tips anyway. She’s lucky they turn out so good on her.”

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