Page 7 of Nova

Thirty minutes later, I'm knocking on the door to London's apartment. A second later, the door opens, and a glass of wine is shoved into my hand. "Now this is what best friends are for."

"You know it. Now get your ass in here before the creepy dude across from me sees us." London lives in a crap part of town and an even crappier apartment building. And she's right, her neighbor is creepy.

London and I met at law school and have been joined at the hip since. She's my soul sister, and we'd do anything for one another. London currently works for the state and doesn't make a whole lot of money. But she loves what she does. I admire my best friend for it. I do worry about her living here though. She is a beautiful, single woman living alone. Pair that with where she lives, and you better believe I worry often.

Taking a hefty swallow of my wine, I stroll across the living room. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable."

"Help yourself," London sing songs as she plops down onto the sofa.

When I walk into her bedroom, I set the glass down on the dresser and walk into the closet to where several articles of clothing I keep here hang. I spend as much time at London's as I do mine and Brad's apartment, so some of my things have accumulated here. Once I've kicked my heels off and stripped out of my pencil skirt and blouse, I pull on a pair of black leggings and a t-shirt.

When I walk back out in the living room, London is getting off the phone. "Pizza will be here in twenty minutes."

"Great, I'm starved." I sit in the chair across from her.

"So, where is Brad? You two didn't have any plans tonight?"

"No. He's meeting a client for dinner and drinks," I wave my hand. "Or whatever."

"Still trouble in paradise, I see," London says drily.

"Yeah. Honestly, I don't know what's up with Brad and me. We're just off lately. Neither of us makes much of an effort anymore. Plus, we haven't touched each other in weeks."

"Have the two of you talked about it?"

"Not really. Honestly, Lon, I think mine and Brad's relationship has run its course. I care about Brad, but…"

"You don't love him," London finishes for me. I don't answer but my silence speaks for itself.

Two bottles of wine and a couple of hours later, I've unloaded my entire day and concerns about Brad onto my best friend.

"For the life of me, I don't understand you sometimes, Promise. I get it, I do, but you are making yourself unhappy, and for what?"

"I know, Lon," I sigh.

"Those people don't deserve you, Promise. You think you're not good enough for them, but the truth is, they're not good enough for you."

London refers to Thomas and Avery as 'those people.' She can't stand either one. Especially Avery.

"They're the only family I have, Lon."

"Thomas and Avery Collins are not your family, Promise. I'm your family. Sadie and Ruby are your family," she says with conviction. "A family is people who care about you and want you to do what makes you happy, not what makes them happy. A family doesn't treat you like your less than, Promise. A real family are people who go out of their way to make you feel special, who make you feel appreciated."

London sets her glass down and scoots to the edge of the sofa, making sure she has my full attention. "One day, Promise you are going to realize those people are toxic. One day you are going to open those pretty eyes of yours and see that you would be better without them."

---