Page 50 of What if I Told You

“Isn’t she so amazing?”

“Yes! I seriously need to consider making an appointment with her someday just to see what she can do.”

“Girl let’s do it! You and me both!” Scarlett offers.

Ella’s excitement just ramped up another ten degrees. “Really?”

Scarlett giggles. “Yes, really! It’s fall so we can get our pumpkin spice vibes on with super cute nails or you could do something with stars to match your costume.”

“That sounds like so much fun! I would love that.”

“Well, it sounds like we’re best friends now then.”

Ella laughs. “Absolutely! I could use a best friend out here.”

Scarlett gives Ella a high five and for just the teensiest moment, I feel a stab of jealousy in my chest.

She’smybest friend.

And I don’t want to share.

“Hey.” I gesture to myself. “What do you mean you could use a best friend? What the heck am I then?”

Ella cocks her head and gives me a sympathetic look. “Aww, I’m sorry, Auggie. That’s not what I meant. I guess I should’ve said I could use a bestgirlfriend out here. You know, someone to go bra shopping with and talk aboutboys with and go to the salon with.”

I scoff playfully. “And you don’t think I would do those things? I’d go bra shopping with you. Anytime any place.”

If it means I have an excuse to look at your boobs, I’ll do it happily.

“But also, what’s wrong with going braless?”

Griffin clears his throat with his hand over his mouth and mumbles to me, “Abort, August. Abort. You’ve already failed at the bra and boobies discussion. Abort, my friend.”

Scarlett grins. “Uh oh, this sounds like something I must’ve missed.”

For a moment, my asshole puckers and I fear I’m about to relive my huge mistake from the other night all over again, but to my surprise, Ella waves it off.

“Oh, August just a had a stupid douche nozzle moment a couple nights ago and said something he shouldn’t have, but it’s all good. He saved me from the nasty scary earthquake so all is forgiven.”

And she gave me monster morning wood.

I want to say we’re even because I was so uncomfortable all night with her in my arms but in reality, I was on cloud nine with her in my arms and in my bed. It’s a confusing feeling when we haven’t allowed ourselves to ever cross that line of friendship, but fuck, I liked every minute of having her near me. I guess that means we’re not even and I owe her big time for giving me the permanent feels and visuals I now have stored inside my personal spank bank.

Thanks to Oliver and his sister, Charlee, at least I have a few ideas of how I might repay her. Maybe if I’m lucky I can put my plan into action tonight when we get home.

“Oh! I love this song!” Ella jumps from her seat when Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance” plays overhead. “Scarlett, you want to come dance with me?”

“Sure! Let’s do it,” Scarlett says, giving Oliver a quick kiss before skipping off with my girl.

Okay, she’s not my girl, but dammit I can’t get the thought of making her mine out of my head. The more I think about it, the more I wonder what life would be like if we were to be more than the friends we already are.

“What are you thinking about over there, Blackstone?” Bear asks from the end of the table. “The wheels turning inside your head are very loud and squeaky.”

“I’ll tell you what he’s thinking,” Griffin offers. “He’s thinking about our newest team mascot and how he can level up that special bond they seem to have.”

I sulk in my chair with a sigh, never truly taking my eyes off Ella as she and Scarlett chat together while they dance. “Am I that obvious?”

“He says with stalker eyes towards the girl of his wet dreams,” Ledger says with a laugh. “Yeah, a little bit obvious.”

---