Page 16 of Eternally London

“Yeah.” I fidget in the chair, anxious to hear the rest. No one tells a story like Paige.

“Well, while he was gone, I went out to dinner with Elle at this new Italian restaurant in Ann Arbor—BTW, you would freak over this place. So good! Anyway, halfway through dinner, I noticed a couple sucking face in one of the corner booths. Elle and I were totally obsessed with talking about them because it was like a high school make-out session. We were timing how long it would take them to come up for air and making bets on what each person looked like. I guessed that she had a nose as big as Connecticut and looked a little homely, like a librarian. And he’d be this computer geek. I mean, my thought process was that they must not date much because they were kissing like they’d never kissed before.”

“Oh my gosh,” I say on a chuckle.

“Yeah.” Paige nods in agreement. “So, after fifteen minutes, they come up for air. Elle won a free dessert from me for that one. I had them lasting only eight minutes. And, lo and behold, it wasn’t a librarian and a computer geek. It was Edward and some ridiculously hot chick.”

“Oh no.”

“Exactly. Oh freaking no.”

“So, what happened?” I ask.

“Well, I wasn’t just going to sit there. So, I got up and walked over to them. Edward’s face turned white when he saw me. I said to Edward, ‘So weird to see you here, honey. When you said you were going to be in Miami for a few days, I didn’t realize Miami was a two-bit hooker. Hopefully, your trip doesn’t last a full three days because, when you get back, your shit will be on the lawn outside the window, and I think I saw something about rain in the forecast.’ And then I turned to the girl and said, ‘Nice to meet you, Miami. I’m Paige, Edward’s girlfriend of eight months. You should really try the portabello ravioli here. The cream sauce is to die for.’ Then, I turned and walked away.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I would have given anything to be a fly on the wall. What’d they do? What’d they say?”

“Absolutely nothing. They both just looked at me in shock with their mouths hanging open. As far as breakups go, it was pretty amazing.”

“You are my freaking hero, Paige.” I shake my head in wonder. “If that had been me and I saw Loïc like that, I would have fallen apart. Seriously, I want to be you when I grow up.”

Paige shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m sure your breakup would have been pretty epic, too. You’re a strong cookie, London. Plus, Edward obviously wasn’t myLoïc…you know? After a week, I’m pretty much over him, and that tells me something.”

“So, did you really throw his stuff out the window?”

“Hell yes. As soon as I got back to the house, I threw every single item of his out on the lawn. I called a twenty-four-hour locksmith and had all the locks changed, and I blocked Edward’s number on my phone.”

“Seriously proud of you right now. Did he come get his stuff?”

“I’m assuming. It was gone the next day.” Paige shrugs.

“Have you spoken to him since?”

“Nope. Not a word. I knew he wouldn’t try to talk about it. I mean, what is there to say? Obviously, I know he’s a cheating douche bag. I would never take him back even if he promised me the world. He knows that. Not to say that he even wanted me back. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I’m better off without him.”

“Yeah, you are!”

I raise my hand, and Paige gives me a high five.

“So, nope, no pity parties. Instead, we’re going to get tipsy tonight and dance our butts off. After the reception, you’re going to have some hot lovemaking with your hubby, and I’m going to find the finest single man I can and rock his world. There are going to be some hot guys here today, right?” Paige looks to me with a slight panic in her eyes. “These chairs aren’t just for great aunts and uncles and grandparents…are they?”

“Yeah,” I sigh with a frown. “The average age of the guests is seventy-two.”

“Really?” she whines, dropping her shoulders, disappointment lining her features.

“No.” I playfully tap her arm. “Most of these chairs are going to be filled by Dixon’s military buddies.”

“Hot military men?” Paige raises her fists in the air and pulls her elbows back against her waist in the classic celebratory move. “Yes!”

I’m grinning from ear to ear. “Plus, I hear Dixon’s brother is single, and if he looks anything like Dixon…”

“Yum-my!” Paige chimes in.

“Exactly!” I agree with a chuckle.

The air surrounding us turns serious as Paige wraps an arm around my back and leans her head against my shoulder. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me, too,” I say, resting the side of my head atop hers.

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