Page 35 of One More Round

“Gia, you are not a horrible person. And had you told me when we met, I would have given you a hug and helped you through it. That’s what best friends do.” She squeezes my hands and smiles at me.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I mumble.

I should just tell her about Todd now. I really should. I’m going to. Shit. This is going to sting.

But Ruby breaks my resolve.

“So, let’s talk about that make-out sesh.”

Morgan laughs at that, breaking the connection, and walks back to her spot on the couch.

“Was it hot? I bet it was all sexy and manly. Simon is very manly,” she says thoughtfully.

“What does that even mean? How is one manly? If Simon is manly, what is Link? Non-manly?” Morgan wonders.

“No, no, no,” Ruby says with an eye roll. “No, I mean, he just seems a bit more,” she struggles to find the right word and the bright look on her face tells me she found it when she says, “Alpha! He seems more alpha.”

I snort.

“Uh, I wouldn’t say that he’s alpha, but he knows how to kiss, and he knows what he wants,” I offer.

“So, the kiss was spectacular?” Morgan asks.

I sigh dreamily. “Best one I’ve ever had. I mean, I forgot I was in a movie theater. I’m not really one for PDA though.”

Now we are smiling, and all of the heaviness is gone from the air. We talk about the movie and that I have no idea how I’m going to write a review of it. We talk about my lunch with Simon and how it’s going to be when he and the guys come over in just a few hours to hang out. I tell them I honestly don’t know how we are going to act around each other. I hope Simon has clued in Link and Dex, so we can avoid this whole awkward mess again.

While I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I’m caught off guard when a sudden flutter of anxiety hits my stomach. I try to take a few deep breaths, but it doesn’t seem to help. I really don’t think seeing Simon tonight and hanging out with our group for the first time since we’ve made amends is going to be a big deal, so I really just need to relax.

Calm down, girl. Nothing is gonna happen.

Chapter Seventeen

Gia

When the guys arrive, I’m all jumpy and nervous but also excited to see Simon. I knew I missed him in my life but now that we are friendly and trying to start fresh, I want to be around him all the time. I also have to admit that my desire to be around him, to talk to him isn’t the same as it used to be. There is something stronger there.

I greet the guys as they come in, Simon is the last one in and he leans in and kisses me on the cheek. For a second, I’m lost in the moment but then I hear a cackle from behind me. I know it’s Link and I can tell by the glare Simon shoots over my shoulder that he’s already talked to them about us.

Closing the door, I hear the chatter of my friends catching up on their week. I’ve always adored Morgan and our friendship with Ruby, but there's just something special about being part of a group of people that you know have your back.

Morgan and Dex disappear into the hall, I’m sure to say hello in private. I can’t fight back a smile when I think of how in love they are. We like to give them a hard time about it, but when you meet a couple you know are supposed to be together, who were made for each other, it’s hard not to appreciate them.

I take a seat next to Simon on the couch. Ruby is still in the chair and Link is scrounging around in the kitchen for something.

“Help yourself to anything you might need, Link,” I tell him sarcastically.

“Yeah, I mean, don’t ask before you go through other people’s kitchens,” Ruby adds, flipping on the TV.

“Do you live here now, Rube? Did I miss when you moved in and claimed the TV?” Link says from the kitchen. There is an island and half wall from the kitchen peering into the living room, so he can see us from where he is standing in the middle of the kitchen, looking thoughtfully around the little space.

“No, I don’t live here, but I might as well. Also, I’m just turning on the six o’clock news. You know my addiction must be fed. And I missed the five o’clock airing.”

“Are you still into that new sports reporter guy? Is that why you’ve changed network loyalties?” I ask her.

“What sports reporter guy?” Link asks, now entirely focused on us.

Ruby smothers a smile and just plays it cool. “Yup. We had a date a couple weeks ago. We’ve been talking. I’ve never really been into sports, but I enjoy listening to him talk about balls and scoring.”

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