Page 97 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

“How long has it been?” I jump up and grab my purse.

“Long enough for the others to leave.”

Her arm wraps with mine, and she asks, “Was it that boring?”

“No.”Yes.“The party was perfect.” I just can’t believe I’m living a fairy tale. Every minute away from Rad has me happily reliving every detail. “Do you love the gifts?”

“I do. I never thought I’d be excited over tumblers, but here I am, unwrapping each present, hoping to complete the set.”

I’m not usually one for spoilers, but now I need to know. “Did you get them all?”

She holds up two fingers. “Missing two.”

“I’ll buy them for you.”

She smiles. “Don’t worry about it. Ten should be enough. When will I ever have ten people at my house anyway?”

“Well,” I start, thinking about how to say this. “Marlow and her date. Jackson and his. Me and?—”

“Your date,” she says, then bites the inside of her cheek so hard I worry she’s going to draw blood. “Well, you get what I mean. So? Have you been seeing anyone lately?”

“Oh. Um, you know. . .” I stop just inside the restaurant and toe the floor. I can see Marlow outside, and I don’t want her tohear this conversation with Cammie. “I’m sticking close to home these days.”

When I turn back, she’s smiling like a Cheshire cat. “You called Rad’s place home.”

“Temporary home. Honest mistake.” I try my best to shrug her off.

Her smile faltering, she sighs. “Well, as long as home is fulfilling, then things are all good.”

I don’t even understand what she’s getting at. I wish I could tell her everything from how wonderful Rad is to me, kind and attentive when we’re living like any other couple in the evenings, and then sweet to intense in the bedroom. I usually share everything with her, so it’s hard to keep this a secret. Rad and I agreed not to tell them, so I need to stick with the plan.

She says, “Then if you have kids?—”

“Me and Rad?” I jab my finger into my chest.

“No. Me and Cade. We might need twelve goblets for when we have kids.”

My shoulders sag in relief. “I swear you saidyou,as inme.”

Laughing as though I’m not in on the joke, she says, “I mean the general you. You ready? That question is aimed at you, though.”

“Yeah, definitely ready.”

We push out the door and find Marlow standing there. “There you are, Teals. Want to share a cab?” When I hesitate, she adds, “I’m paying.”

“I’m happy to share then.” I’m about to hug Cammie when I notice the corners of her mouth turned down. Reactionary crier here. Tears spring to my eyes. “Oh, Cam.” I hug her, not sure why I’m feeling emotional all of a sudden. “Why are we crying?”

“I’m scared to enter a new phase in life. Am I losing my best friends?”

Marlow grins at her, sympathy resonating in her eyes. She wraps one arm around Cammie and one around me. “No,” she says, “you’re gaining a husband and a soul mate. We’ll always be there when you need us.”

“I’ve become such a sap,” Cammie replies, sniffling along with a smile. Dabbing her eyes with a tissue she pulls from her pocket, she laughs. “Remind me to wear waterproof mascara for the wedding.”

Huddling in again, I not only adore my friends but also love my sisters by choice. I say, “We have your back.”

I lied. I do know why I’m on the verge of crying. With Cammie getting married, her priorities will shift, as they should, and we might not see each other as much. Then if she starts a family, things will be totally different.

I suspect we’ve all had similar thoughts. We’re smack dab in the middle of major life changes that are personal and unique to each of us.

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