Page 48 of Make Me Feel Again

Rylee

“Girllll...”Rachel drops down in the chair at our favorite restaurant. We have been saying for months we would go out for dinner, but our lives have been hectic, and she was in London for three weeks visiting family. I had let it slip about Cash and me. She was shocked to the core, and although I know Toni will always tell me the truth, a part of me wondered if Rachel would pretend it was okay and not speak her truth, but I was wrong. She said it was a lot to take in and I need to be prepared for what people will say.

“Catch me up on your life, how was the cabin.” She smirks, and I can tell she wants every bit of detail. She’s the calmer version of Toni, but those two together can be wild. “You have been beaming from ear to ear since being back, so I need to know what happened, and that little text telling me on your plane ride home you became a member of the Mile High Club, will not cut it, I need more." The waiter walks over at that point, so we order our drinks and food.

“Back to you.” She points at me.

“He told me he loved me,” I blurt. I got it off my chest to Toni, but it was over the phone. It wasn’t as big of a relief as it is saying it to someone’s face.

Rach stares at me, her mouth agape.

“Say something.”

Her face breaks out into a huge smile.

“Broody Cash Stiles, who barely smiles, told Rylee fucking Matthews he loves her. Well, I’ll be damned.” She smacks the table. “And?” She stares wide-eyed at me.

“And I didn’t say it back.” I smack my hand over my mouth.

“You didn’t say it back. Whaa-wha . . .” She flaps her hands around. “What am I missing?”

“Nothing, Rach. I don’t know why, I just couldn’t say it.” I cringe.

“Well, do you love him?” Her eyes flick between mine. No one has asked me this yet, not even Toni. I can’t believe how easy it is to answer.

“Yes.” I smile. “Yes, I fucking love him.”

Her smile meets her eyes. “You need to tell him. He needs to hear you say it.”

I know he does. I just know once I say this, we will have to tell people, and I don’t know if I can bear the hate from everyone, especially Bridget and Boh. Since the night I spoke to Boh, he hasn’t said anything else about it, and if I tell Cash I love him, we will have to confirm his suspicions.

The waiter brings over our glasses of wine. “Can we add a bottle please? We’re celebrating.” Rach smiles up at the waiter. I laugh before taking a sip of my wine, eyeing her over the rim.

“You haven’t said much about Harley.” I raise an eyebrow. “Fucked him over any new desks recently?” I point at her. “I swear if you did it over mine, you’re dead.”

She smirks and winks.

“Oh my God, you didn’t.” I gasp. Her eyes crinkle as she howls while slapping her thigh.

“No, but seeing your face was worth that.” She tops our glasses to the rim. She always says if you want a glass of wine, you want the full glass, not half.

“Harley is old news.” She sighs.

I’m shocked by this, the last time we spoke about him, she seemed quite into him. “Oh.” I don’t know how to ask, so I just do. “His decision or yours?”

“Mine, he was great in bed, but that was it. If he ever decides to settle down, it will be years from now, and I’m not about to put my life on hold and wait for him.”

I raise my hand in the air. “High-five, girl. I like it.” We slap hands while giggling. We continue to chat about everything going on and I fill her in on my mile high experience which she eats up every word, especially when I tell her we barely made it to the bed. She tells me about a few dates she has been on from some dating apps. I told her she needs a night out with Toni. Toni always finds the men.

The waiter walks past. “Can we get the check, please?”

“Your table has already been paid, ma’am.” I glance at Rachel, brows furrowed, and she looks as confused as me.

“I don’t feel drunk enough to not have remembered to pay our check.” Rachel laughs. The waiter chuckles.

“No, ma’am, a gentleman.” He tilts his head towards the bar. “He’s not there now. He said he knew you”—the waiter looks at me—“and wanted to pay.” I frown at Rachel, but she just shrugs.

“Well, Happy Christmas.” She giggles. I smile at the waiter, tell him, “Thank you,” and then glance at Rachel.

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