Page 16 of The Perfect Love

“Something non-alcoholic?” I try to keep my voice from sounding squeaky. It’s not exactly a test—I have no plans to drink tonight—but his reaction will be telling.

“You like fruit punch?” he asks.

I laugh because that was the last thing I was expecting. “Sure.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Hey, what about the rest of us?” Joel calls after him.

“Fuck off. You live here.”

I bite my lip to keep from laughing. Definitely family vibes.

The banter continues, but I’m realizing I just let a guy leave the room and get me a drink. Which goes against my major ruleof never letting someone I don’t know incredibly well make me anything to drink.

It’s not like he can put alcohol in it because I’d be able to taste it.

But…

This is a safe space.

That’s what Rae told me.

If she’s been through something similar to what I have, she wouldn’t take those words lightly.

When Trevor returns and sets the drink in front of me, I unconsciously look at Rae first. Her eyes meet mine and she gives me a reassuring smile as she drops her gaze to my drink.

Pushing past all my fears, I keep a smile on my face as I reach for the cup and take a drink.

Again, I want to laugh. It tastes delicious and not unlike something I’d have at a kid’s birthday party. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

“Ooh. That’s really good. What is it?”

“Fruit punch and tangerine seltzer.” He shakes the can in his hand. He’s not drinking either. I’m not sure if I want to take that as a good sign or bad, so I shut my brain up and focus on the moment.

“It’s delicious. Thank you.”

“Hey, the meat is about ready. Someone want to grab all the rolls, condiments, and sides?” the tall one with dark hair says. Miller? No. Miles.

“I’ll get them,” Rae volunteers.

Sarah jumps up too. “I’ll help.”

And apparently that’s code, because suddenly all the girls are offering to help and I’m being dragged inside with them.

In the kitchen, Rae goes right to pulling food out of the fridge as Sarah helps, but Amanda looks at me.

“What is happening between you and Trevor?”

My cheeks heat again. So that insane tension was obvious to everyone else too. Great. The girls all look at me, and while that lack of trust rears its ugly head deep in my gut, I’ve always craved strong female friendships. I thought I had them, but it’s become clear I don’t. This little group? There’s a connection between them that’s surprisingly deep, and I think this is them inviting me into it.

I swallow and look around at them before answering. “I don’t know. I swear when I saw him, it felt like my heart stopped. Obviously, he’s drop-dead sexy, but when he touched my hand, I felt this—”

“Tingly feeling? Like you’ve always known him and like you’ll know him forever?” Rae asks.

Is she in my brain? Is there actually a hive mind thing here? “Yes. How did you know that?”

Rae’s eyes light up as she glances out the window at Aaron. “Been there.Stillthere.”

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