Page 170 of Girls Will Be Girls
“Frida!” I shout in shock.
“What? You’re being ridiculous. You are not a bad friend. You’re in love, you idiot.” She says. “You’re way too hard on yourself about this whole being agirl’s girlthing. Because I have news for you — you’re the girliest girl’s girl there is, my friend. Just because you were late to the sisterhood doesn’t mean you need to keep proving you’re part of it. You’re in, you’re a girly. Deal with it.”
She flicks my chest, and I mouth a dramatic“Ouchie!”at her.
“Now stop being so mean to yourself, and let yourself be a little selfish for once. You’re allowed to want the love of your freaking life to be here. You’re a good friend. You’re a good girl.” She pauses. “That sounded kinky.” She winks with a smirk, making me laugh. “You don’t have to be perfect all the time, worrying about what others want. Take what you want.”
I hug her hard, a woosh of air escaping her.
“You’re really sure?”
“Yes.”
I pull back to look at her. “For sure, though?”
“Yes.” She rolls her eyes dramatically. “I can also lord my generosity over Lou now, and that way I’ll always have the upper hand.”
I laugh. We stare at each other with big smiles.
“So Lou’s moving in?” She asks.
“Lou’s moving in,” I say, and then stand up to press the intercom button on our entry system.
“Hey Lou, you can come up now,” I call down.
“He’s already here?” Frida grins.
“Yes.” I wince.
“God, you two are obsessed with each other.” She laughs. “I love it.”
EPILOGUE
EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER THE FAKE ENGAGEMENT PARTY
“Where are we going?”
“Do you need me to explain the meaning behind a surprise to you again?” Lou says, a smile in his voice.
I cross my arms in front of me. “I just feel it’s unsafe to take me on the subway blindfolded.”
“Mm.” He says. “Very unsafe with my arm around you like this.”
“I could trip on a rat and fall straight onto the tracks.” I say.
“I’d catch you.”
“I could get stuck in the doors.” I say.
“I’d pull you out.”
“I could get mugged.” I say.
He laughs. “Again, I’m right here.”
“But you’ve never even punched anyone before.”
He laughs again. “Come on, baby girl.” He pulls me with him, our hands interlaced. “Follow me.”
