Page 105 of Forever and Ever

Seattlerainismyfavorite. It hangs out like an old friend waiting for you to return. While most people probably prefer the sunshine, I love watching the water slap against the pavement. Hearing the earth roll with thunder as it tries to cleanse itself.

The cool air is still somehow warming. The sound comforting. It’s the beat I wrote my first song to. And as much as I wanted to escape, Seattle is still my home.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop me from missing Noah. I almost caved at the airport and told him to forget everything I said. Suddenly, I really wanted to be that girl who asks a guy to give it all up for her. But that’s not us, and I can’t let him do it. So, I got on the plane, even if I was a little surprised he let it happen.

By the time I arrive at my sister’s doorstep, I’m exhausted and ready to sleep for a week. If only that were an option.

I went to the doctor straight from the airport and he told me exactly what I expected—I need surgery. Soon. He didn’t hesitate before scheduling it, and now the official countdown has begun.

If I wait it out any longer, I risk the fibroids continuing to grow and cause problems. And as much as the alternative treatments have helped keep the surgery at bay, they aren’t shrinking, so I don’t have much of a choice.

All I can do now is hope for the best. Pray they get in and out with minimal scarring, and even more so, that they can save my uterus.

The door to Monica’s apartment swings open and she’s standing there in a bright yellow feathery sweater.

“What the fuck did you do to Big Bird?” I ask her.

Monica crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me. “Good to see you too Morticia.”

“Ooh, I like that.” I grin and it makes her laugh.

“Good to see you, sis.” Monica reaches for me as I step inside and wraps me in a hug.

Even with a seven-year age gap between us, there’s no one on the planet I’m closer to than my sister.

When we were younger, I was the annoying little kid who followed her around and bugged her. But as we both grew up, she’s been the one person in my family who has accepted me as is. She might give me the side eye or not always understand it, but she doesn’t judge either. And I’m thankful to have her on my side.

Stepping back, she brushes her wild curls off her face and gives me a big smile. “I hope you’re hungry, Carson got a little carried away with the pasta.”

At the mention of his name, she gets those swoony eyes she has whenever she’s thinking about him.

“Oh geez, Mon, keep it in your pants while I’m here.” I lift an eyebrow, and she swats at me. “But seriously—he can cook?”

“He can,” Carson says, walking into the room, drying his hands on a towel.

His eyes immediately land on Monica, and I can’t help but roll mine in return, because being around the two of them is vomit-inducing. They met in kindergarten and were basically childhood sweethearts—although Monica swears they never actually dated until they were older.

But just because I was a kid, didn’t mean I was blind. These two have been looking at each other like they are now for as long as I can remember.

“Carson.” I walk over to him and give him a hug. “Thanks for having me here.”

He gives me a hug back, before moving to Monica’s side and wrapping an arm around her. His height makes her look miniature in comparison, and I wonder if that’s what I look like standing next to Noah.

Come to think of it, why did both of us Lopez sisters fall for blond-haired men with pretty-boy faces? Although Carson does have a bit more scruff on his jaw than Noah, so it makes him appear a tad rougher around the edges.

“You know you’re welcome here anytime,” Carson says. “I’ll hide in my office if needed.”

“Bring on the chick flicks and wine coolers then.” I nudge Monica on the arm, teasing her because she’s always been so girly from her drinks to her taste in movies. “I like the new place, by the way.”

I look around, taking in their new space. The living room is large and open with vaulted ceilings. Wide windows look over the city and frame the lights below. This apartment is triple the size of her last place, and stunning.

“Someone’s smutty books must be selling.” I wink at my sister.

“Mercedes, you better not be reading my books.” Monica’s cheeks get red, while Carson just laughs.

Monica spent years writing sweetie-pie romance, but in the past year she released a spicier series, and of course I read it. Especially because I know it embarrasses her. After all, I’m her sister, it’s my job to tease her any way I can.

“Don’t worry, you can’t shock me. I’ve done way worse than anything you’ve written.” I wink again, and that makes her glare at me really hard. “Let me know if you need any pointers for the next book.”

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