Page 3 of Curvy Girl for the Best Friend

To me. The words slam into my chest like a freight train. If only she knew how much I wish I was coming home to her in the way I really want.

"I promise," I vow solemnly, even as my heart cracks a little further. I'll always come back to her, even if it's just as her friend. Having a piece of Lily is better than not having her at all.

Unable to resist any longer, I drop my bag and pull her into a tight hug. She melts against me instantly, arms winding around my neck as she buries her face in my shoulder. I breathe her in deep, memorizing the sweet scent of her shampoo and the warmpress of her curves. Committing every detail to memory to take with me.

"I'm going to miss you so much," she whispers brokenly against my neck, dampness seeping into my skin from her tears.

I squeeze my eyes shut against the hot sting of my own. "I'll miss you too, Lil. More than you know."

We cling to each other desperately, as if we could stop time and stay in this moment forever if we just hold on tight enough. My heart pounds against hers and I wonder if she can feel it. If she knows it only beats for her.

But all too soon, she's pulling back, swiping at her wet cheeks. I reluctantly let her go, even as every fiber of my being protests the loss of contact.

This is it. The moment I've been simultaneously dreading and anticipating. My chance to finally lay it all on the line. To tell her that I love her, that I've always loved her. That she's the reason I breathe, the reason my heart beats.

I open my mouth...and nothing comes out. I'm choked by fear, paralyzed by the possibility of losing her.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now," Lily says with a wobbly smile, unknowingly shattering the moment. "Promise you'll write to me?"

"I promise," I rasp, the unspoken words burning like acid in my throat.

She raises up on her toes and brushes a soft kiss to my cheek. It sears into my skin like a brand. "Goodbye, Jake. Stay safe."

"Goodbye, Lily."

With monumental effort, I force myself to pick up my bag and walk away from the only home I've ever known. The only woman I'll ever love.

I don't let myself look back, blinking furiously against the hot tears blurring my vision. Each step away from her carves another piece out of my heart, but I keep going.

As I climb into my truck, I glance up at the charm hanging from my rearview mirror. A little silver lily flower. Lily gave it to me years ago. My flower. I reach up and touch it reverently, the metal warmed by the sun.

"I love you, Lily," I whisper to the empty cab, the words tearing out of me. "I'll always love you."

Then I put the truck in drive and force myself to leave her behind. But even as the distance grows between us, I know she'll never be far from my mind or my heart.

I'm hers, whether she knows it or not. And I always will be.

three

?. . .?

Four Years Later

Jake

The relentless sunbeats down on my back as sweat trickles between my shoulder blades beneath heavy fatigues. Sand clings to my boots, gritty and invasive, as I march in line with my fellow marines across the sweltering desert training field. Each rhythmic step, each bead of sweat, each labored breath is meant to force her from my mind...

But Lily remains stubbornly lodged in my thoughts, as permanent and essential as the blood pumping through my veins.

"Keep up that pace, Corporal!" the drill sergeant barks. "Your mind better be one hundred percent in this moment!"

If he only knew that no amount of grueling physical training can seem to sweat Lily out of my system. Every night I collapseonto my cot, body aching and drained, but thoughts of her soft curves, silky hair, and gentle touch flood my mind and set my blood on fire all over again.

Sleep only comes in fitful bursts.

When mail call rings out, my pulse quickens. I spot her looping handwriting on an envelope, and my hands tremble slightly as I tear into it back in the privacy of my bunk.

Dear Jake, I miss you terribly. The clinic keeps me busy, but I often catch myself drifting off, imagining what you must be doing at that very moment...

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