Page 50 of Summertime Friends

“I hate it when you are right.”

“Most do. Are you mad I didn’t tell you about Liam being there?”

“Not anymore. I was at first, but I realized it was probably for the best. I get you were protecting me in a way.” Is that the truth? I’m not sure. “As I texted you, a heads up might have been nice, though.”

“It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you.”

“Telling me would have given me the opportunity to determine what I wanted to do and prepare any lingering emotions.”

“After a year, I didn’t expect you two to run into each other.” His voice is sincere.

“Kind of hard not to when he’s with my best friend.” Callum can’t see my eye roll but can easily hear the sarcasm dripping from my voice.

“Wait. You know Natalie? She’s your best friend? Is that why he was at your place?”

“Slow your horses, dude. Natalie and I have known each other since we were seven.”

“This makes sense.”

Is he delusional? In what world does any of this make sense?

“Oh! Care to elaborate on how this all makes sense? Because none of this makes sense to me!”

“Well, one night, her phone lit up with a text notification. Ya know me, let my eyes wander over. The name of the text was Emme. That wasn’t what caught my eye. It was a picture. Natalie sitting on a boat, hugging a smiling brunette. I thought she looked like you, but she had sunglasses on and short hair. Haven’t seen you in years, so how would I know what your hairstyle is now? I just assumed it wasn’t you.”

It’s the same photo I used as my lock screen. The picture was taken on the Fourth of July last summer.

“Surprise, it was me.”

“Yeah, I realize that now.” Callum pauses. “Probably could have thought about the name being Emme.”

“You’ve never called me that before.” Honestly, Callum is the only one who even calls me Em of the London crew. I’m just States to everyone there.

“I’m sorry, States.”

“Don’t be. The world being small isn’t your fault.” I swiftly change the subject. “I heard you are coming here soon, too.”

“I’m gathering some of the documents we need from London before I fly over to meet Liam. Probably will be there within a week. Latest, two.”

“Fair warning: Natalie will want to set us up once she finds out.”

“Should I make George come instead? He’d love this. Still wants his chance with you, States,” Cal jokes.

“Liam wouldn’t allow it, you know that.” I sigh at the irony of it. Liam would die seeing me with one of his friends but is currently with mine. “Beatrix, either. I’m excited to see you.”

“Were you excited to see him?” Callum’s question is direct.

“If I say yes, will you judge me?”

“No.”

“I couldn’t decide if I wanted to kiss his face. . . with my lips or my hands. Callum, I thought I was over it. I told you I moved on. . . but seeing him last week and with. . . her tonight was salt in my Liam-shaped wound.”

“And talking to me isn’t salt?” Cal keeps with my lousy analogy.

“No,” I breathe out. “Does he know you still talk to me?”

Cal hesitates for a moment. “There are some things better left as secrets, I believe.”

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