Page 130 of One Last Time
“I hate you. All of you.Hate.”
Ericawas in charge of submitting the forms for the corporation. I pre-signed them because I was heading to France for two weeks. She was supposed to fill out the information once I decided on the name, which was Friends in Chic, and submit it. Easy aspie.
She felt our name wasn’t trendy enough. So, she named our very prestigious magazine,Kristin Mc-Gets-it.
Nicole and Danielle lock arms and giggle. “We accept your hate and raise you a we don’tcare.”
My friends are on my list—withErica.
Aubrey runs in with a box, stopping our little feud. “Auntie Danielle, can you make sure Aunt Nicole doesn’t take thisplease.”
Nicole raises her brows and laughs. “Me? What did Ido?”
“You said you were going to eat my animals for lunch.” Aubrey pulls the box to the side. “They’re notfood.”
“I was hungry, and you wouldn’t let me leave theroom.”
Aubrey looks at Nicole and shakes her head. These two are a mess separately, but together they’re out of control. Aubrey will do things that remind me so much of Nicole it’s scary—I’m not excited about it. I love my best friend, but her mother was gray very early inlife.
“You’re not supposed to eat them, AuntNicole!”
Nicole sighs dramatically. “Fine, I won’t eatthem.”
Danielle and I watch with our hands over our mouths as Aubrey extends the box and then pulls itback.
“Aubrey Nicole!” Nic yells. I think she likes using my daughter’s middle name as much as she can. Had I known that naming Aubrey after a friend meant she would be like that person, I would’ve chosenHeather.
Maybe.
Aubrey takes the box and walksoff.
“That girl.” Danielle laughs. “I can’t, she’s the best thingever.”
“I happen to agree.” Noah’s deep voice causes my pulse tospike.
He’s here. He’s hereearly.
“You’re home!” I break out in a run and leap into hisarms.
“Hi, sweetheart.” He laughs as he barely catchesme.
I kiss his lips over and over, beyond ecstatic that I can. It’s been over three weeks since the last time we saw each other. The kids and I video call with him every night, but it isn’t thesame.
I can’t touch his skin, feel his warmth, or smell his cologne. My memory is no substitute for the realthing.
His green eyes are a little lighter and his skin has a bronze tint to it. For the movie he just wrapped filming on, he was playing a spy, and they had him buzz his hair. I thought I would hate it, but he’s insanely sexy. If I could’ve climbed through the computer and have him assault me with his weapon of mass destruction, I would have. However, we don’t do anything over the internet. So . . . I had towait.
I don’t have to wait anymore. My tongue delves into his mouth, sliding against his tongue, tasting all that isNoah.
“If you’re going to have sex right now, can I watch? I’m all for free porn,” Nicole asks from behindus.
Noah breaks the kiss, and I pout. “Go away!” I yell tothem.
“Don’t worry, there’s more of that,” Noah promises before kissing mynose.
There better be. I want more now, though. Stupid friends and kids who are keeping us from a little mattressdancing.
“Danni will watch the kids . . .” Nicoleoffers.
