Page 27 of Claimed By my Frenemy

Stella nudges me gently. “Come on, Mia. You can’t just leave it at that. What’s going on with you two?”

Aurora lowers her sunglasses so I can see her eyes. “It’s clear that he thinks you’re just as attractive as he did when you were in high school. But now…you’re two consenting adults without parents breathing down your necks.”

Aurora’s words make me tingle, because she’s right. But I still don’t want to tell them. Maybe I can explain the situation without getting into details.

I take a deep breath, realizing that maybe talking about it with my friends will help clear my head. “It’s complicated. We have so much history, and I don’t know if I can trust him. But at the same time, there’s something still there between us. I can’t deny that. So, yeah, he’s attractive.”

Stella hoots. “Well, we all knew that. Glad you finally recognized it.”

Madison giggles. “He is sexy. You didn’t tell us the other night, but is he a good kisser?”

I shrug, trying to stay nonchalant. But I can’t help it. I’m remembering the way he worked his lips down my neck last night and the shivers he made me feel.

“He’s…improved since high school.”

The girls all giggle, clap, and give general shouts of approval.

But Zoey is looking thoughtful. “Do you think he’s changed? I mean, people can grow up and become better versions of themselves, but has he changed deep down or is he still a selfish jerk?”

“That’s what I’m struggling with. Part of me wants to believe he’s changed, but another part is afraid of getting hurt again. Besides, Ireallydon’t need a relationship in my life again.” If I think of the string of boyfriends I had while living in Raleigh, I want to just cringe. None of my relationships lasted long, but maybe that’s just because I didn’t have my mom alongside me to teach me how to have a real relationship. She overdosed when I was high school, part of the reason I left Oak Island in the first place. I couldn’t stand the judgmental, and sometimes pitying, stares from everyone.

“That’s what we all say, and then someone walks into our lives and…”

I look around at them. “Wait? What have I missed? Who has a boyfriend now?”

Each one of my friends avoids eye contact when I look at them. “So, none of you?”

They each shrug or shake their heads at the same time.

“We’re still the Spinsters Society,” Stella concludes.

“We’re not spinsters yet,” Aurora protests. “We haven’t even hit thirty.”

“But we’re closer to thirty than twenty.”

Madison reaches over and squeezes my hand. “We get it, Mia. It’s okay to have mixed feelings. Just remember that you don’t have to rush into anything. Take your time and figure out what you really want. I mean, we wouldn’t want to have to kick you out of the society anyway.”

Everyone laughs, but I can tell Zoey is concerned for me. As the other girls start talking about how rough the undertow has been the last few days, Zoey leans closer to me. “And don’t let him pressure you into anything. If he’s really changed, he’ll understand and respect your boundaries. You don’t want to jump into sex and then feel like you have to date him if he’s still a jerk.”

I avoid her eyes, because she’s absolutely right. The problem is that I’ve already jumped into sex. And the fact is that with the excitement I’ve been feeling this morning, I could see myself doing it again…and again.

But I should think things through. I shouldn’t just do what my body wants from me.

"So, enough about me," I say, reaching for a drink from the cooler. "What’s new with you guys? Anyone have any exciting plans or news?"

Madison grins, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Actually, yes. I’ve been thinking about starting a surf school. I’ve been teaching people informally for years, and I figured, why not make it official? I’ve been looking into the steps of renting a shack down here for gear and getting an LLC started."

"That’s amazing, Mads!" I exclaim. "You’d be so great at that. Your passion for surfing is contagious."

Aurora embraces Madison. “How exciting!”

Stella tugs at her blue hair. “Do we get discounts? That’s the main question.”

“Maybe discounts. Hey, bring me a new student, and you get a free lesson. How’s that?” Madison’s cheeks are flushed, and I’m happy she has something exciting like this in front of her. "I’ve already looked into the permits and insurance. It’s a lot of paperwork, but I think it’ll be worth it. I want to share my love for the ocean with more people. I think I might start it next summer, so I can try to get advertising going a few months before. I think that’s going to be the hardest part."

Zoey claps her hands together. "I can totally see it. ‘Madison’s Surf School’ has a nice ring to it.”

“I want to be more creative with names than that.”

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