Page 14 of If My Wishes Came True
My jaw drops. “Did Sunny really say that?”
“Granted, this was a while ago…right after she and Dex got back together. And she was a little more diplomatic, of course,” Sam admits. “But I’m not known for sugarcoating things.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” I say after a heaving sigh. “Well, Sunny and I have cleared the air since then. She knows that Dex and I were friends with benefits, and nothing more. I was never in love with him.”
Sam crosses her arms. “You hooked up with him in high school, and then again, a few years ago. Call it what you want, but you seem pretty interested in him to me.”
I shake my head. “First of all, Sunny and Dex never dated in high school—so, as far as I knew, he was fair game. I only asked him out after my friends convinced me we belonged together, because we were Homecoming King and Queen. It was silly. Our relationship was purely physical. He never said as much, but I could tell his heart belonged to someone else.”
Sam nods, but doesn’t respond.
“Second of all, the only reason he and I became involved in LA was because Sunny got engaged to Jeremy,” I continue. “Dex was miserable, and I was heartbroken over a past relationship, too. We were both looking for a meaningless distraction.”
Sam purses her lips as she contemplates my answer. Before she replies, she squints at me. “I guess that tracks. And I know Sunny isn’t one to hold a grudge…but she’s one of my closest friends, and I feel very protective over her, that’s all.”
“Like I said, Sunny’s my friend now, too,” I tell Sam. “I mean, it’s not like we sit around comparing notes about Dex. There are certain things we don’t talk about, obviously. But it’s all in the past. If she’s okay with it, shouldn’tyoube?”
Sam exhales deeply. “Of course Sunny’s okay with it. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body—never has.” She smirks. “Unless you count Jeremy.”
A laugh escapes me before I frown. “He really was a jerk. Poor Sunny.”
Sam nods solemnly. “Yeah, she’s been through a lot. That’s why I want to make sure you’re not some scorned ex-lover who’s plotting to steal back her husband. I mean, this isDex Oliverwe’re talking about. No one could blame you if you weren’t over him.”
“Sam, when Dex told me he and Sunny got back together, I was over the moon. They were made for each other. Sunny has no reason to feel threatened by me,” I insist.
“Well, she definitely felt threatened by you in high school,” Sam says pointedly.
I look down at my lap. “Which is ironic, because I was always in awe of Sunny. Not only is she beautiful, she was a star student, too. Especially when it came to English class. Meanwhile, I was a dyslexic cheerleader. It was impossible for me not to compare myself to her.”
To be honest, I still do. Sunny quit her law career to pursue her passion. I don’t think I’d ever have the guts to quit interior design.
Sam bites her lip. “I had no idea. I guess the history between you, Sunny, and Dex is more nuanced than I thought.”
“If there’s one thing I know about Dex, it’s that his heart belongs to Sunny,” I go on. “Plus, they’re having a baby. Nothing and no one could tear them apart now. And believe me, I’m the last person you need to worry about. I don’t even want a relationship. I prefer to keep things casual, same as you.”
But…Charlie.
My mind cuts back to the moment our hands met on the couch. The glimmer in his eyes. The flush on his cheeks. How can I know his face so well, when we only just met? It’s as if I could reach out and touch him, my memory of his features is so crystal clear.
I shake my head to shatter it.
“Okay,” Sam concedes. “You’ve convinced me. I’m sorry I was an asshole.” She elbows me playfully. “Maybe we can be friends.”
I laugh.
“By the way,” Sam adds, “did you ever tell Sunny how much you admired her in high school? I bet she’d like to know.”
“I did. We had a conversation about it after I read her book, and it brought us a lot closer.”
Sam gasps and reaches for my arm. “You’ve already read her novel? How?! It isn’t coming out until next month!”
I chuckle, even though she’s gripping me so hard I’m pretty sure it’ll leave a mark. “Sunny gave me an advance copy. The book’s loosely based on her romance with Dex, and there’s a character modeled after me. Head cheerleader, homecoming queen, etcetera. She wanted to make sure I approved.”
Sam lets go of me, then squeals excitedly. “Sweet baby Jesus, I need details! Was it amazing?”
I nod. “Sunny’s so talented. I don’t usually fly through books, but I couldn’t put hers down. This was my first time reading romance, and I loved it.”
“You know why it’s my favorite genre? Romance is rebellious. Well, the romancesIread are, at least. They subvert stereotypes, and smash gender norms. And the sex positivity is delicious.”Her eyes go wide. “Speaking of which, is Sunny’s book super steamy? Please tell me the love scenes are open-door.”
