Page 43 of When Our Stars Aligned

“It’s probably just your hormones working on overdrive. Plus, are you still drinking like a gallon of sweet tea a day?”

“Uh, I’m trying to cut back. My OB was horrified when I told her what I usually drink. Can you believe she’d never heard of sweet tea before? She thought I was talking about that iced tea crap that comes in a bottle. Damn Northerners!”

“Man, I miss your sweet tea.” Jess makes the best. It’s probably a good thing we no longer live close to each other. While it’s one of my favorite drinks, it’s also loaded with caffeine and sugar, something that doesn’t sit as well with me now that I have crossed the threshold over to thirty.

“I will make you some when you come out to visit the baby for the christening. Remember, you and Jacob are going to be the godparents!”

“How could I forget? Unfortunately, I don’t think I will be able to follow through with my promise.” My heart drops. Years ago, Jess and I promised each other that when we had children, we would be the godmothers to each other’s kids. We thought it would be a great way to connect our families a little more.

“Don’t go there, Aly! Stop acting like you’re all washed up!”

“Yeah, yeah, okay. Hey, I’m pulling into the parking lot now,” I lie. Hot tears pierce the back of my eyes. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” Jess says. I know she knows I’m lying. We’ve only been on the phone for a few minutes, and it takes at least twenty to get to the university.

I hang up with Jess and drive the rest of the way to work, wiping tears from my eyes. Once I arrive at work, I pull down my visor to check my makeup in the mirror. I can’t show up to class looking like the mess that I feel inside. I reapply some foundation over my tear-stained cheeks while reminding myself over and over again that I really am happy for my best friend. With the evidence of my sadness covered up, I get out of my car and head towards work to do what I do best: pretend that I’m okay.

27

Jax

“Dude, what happened?” Carter points to my wrapped hand as we ride the elevator up to our floor. I was hoping not to run into anyone on the way home, but at least it’s Carter and not Alex. Alex would be having a field day with this.

“Accident with a nail gun.”

“What?! That’s not like you. You’re always so careful about everything.” Carter knows how meticulous I am about my work and the safety precautions I take.

“Got distracted.” I shrug.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain new roommate of yours, would it?”

I throw my head back against the wall of the elevator and let out a groan. It has everything to do with my new roommate. It’s been a few days since Aly moved in with me. I woke upthis morning and remembered to put on shorts before heading out to the kitchen. I wasn’t prepared to see Aly in tiny pajama shorts and a thin tank top. I know she said she will never sleep naked, but those clothes left little to the imagination. She was bending over near the trash can. When she stood up, she was carrying a spider on a piece of paper. I watched as she walked past me, opened up the window, and let the spider outside on the windowsill.

“You’re afraid of fish poop, but you touch spiders?” I asked her.

“I know. I’m a conundrum.” She turned around to look at me. Ugh…that look paired with the little shrug she gave. Why does she affect me this way? I go to bed thinking of her; I wake up thinking of her. I wonder about how her day was and what she had for lunch. She’s not only moved into my home, but she’s moved into my mind as well.

I also can’t help but think about Gram’s last words. I don’t believe in destiny or fate or whatever you call it, but Aly did show up soon after Gram passed and she’s the only new person in my life. The draw I feel towards her is undeniable, but how would she be connected to Gram?

“Dude! You’ve got it bad!” Carter says, pulling me out of my Aly-induced haze.

“Hmm…what?”

“You were so lost in thought that you didn’t get off on our floor.” He points to the floor numbers above the elevator doors.How the hell did we get to the eighth floor?

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It was kinda fun to watch you all starry-eyed and stuff. Never thought it would happen to you.”

“Starry-eyed? Dude, how insulting—that’s something teenage girls do.”

“I call it like I see it.” Carter shrugs. “Gabby and Alex shouldn’t be home right now. Come on over to my place for a distraction and a free beer.”

We finally get off the elevator on the right floor and walk into Carter’s place. He hands me a beer and I relax on the couch.

“So how is it withyournew roommate?” I ask.

“Gabby is great! We don’t see each other too much with her working those twelve-hour shifts. Alex will be back tomorrow, but with the way their schedules work out, they will both be able to sleep at different times.”

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