Page 84 of Echoes of Us
Heat flooded Ashley's cheeks."Me neither."
“Happy now?”
Ashley thought about last night - about Cole in her childhood bed, about her mother's knowing smile over coffee, about the marks still hidden beneath her sweater."Yeah," she said, surprised to find she meant it."I really am."
"Good."Sarah linked their arms as they headed inside."Because Marie's been asking about you."
Reality crashed back like a wave.Marie.How could she face her after everything?
"She's not angry," Sarah said quietly, reading her expression."I mean, she was at first.But..."She hesitated."Look, you should talk to her yourself.She's in our room."
Ashley's steps faltered."Here?!Now?"
"No time like the present."Sarah squeezed her arm."Besides, she's been waiting for hours.Probably better to handle this before Cole shows up looking for you."
The walk up the dorm stairs felt both too long and too short.Ashley's heart hammered against her ribs as they approached their room.She'd spent so long running from these conversations, these confrontations.Time to face them head-on.
Marie sat cross-legged on Sarah's bed, her dark curls pulled back in a messy bun, looking so achingly familiar it hurt.She looked up as they entered, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.
"Hi," Ashley managed finally.
Marie straightened, something unreadable crossing her face."You came back."
"Yeah."Ashley's fingers twisted in the hem of her sweater."Marie, I-"
"Don't."Marie held up a hand."Let me go first."She took a deep breath."I knew, Ashley.About you and Cole.I think I knew before either of you did."
Ashley's throat tightened."Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because he needed to figure it out himself."A sad smile touched Marie's lips."And because you were my friend.Are my friend.Even if you're also an idiot who runs away instead of talking to people."
A laugh that was almost a sob escaped Ashley."I'm so sorry."
"I know."Marie's eyes softened."Just...be good to him, okay?He pretends nothing touches him, but..."
"But everything does," Ashley finished quietly."I know."
They looked at each other for a long moment, their friendship hanging in the balance.Then Marie stood, closing the distance between them.Her hug was fierce, almost painful.
"Don't you dare run away again," she whispered."Not from him, not from me, not from any of it."
Ashley hugged her back just as tightly, tears spilling freely now."I won't.I promise."
Sarah cleared her throat from the doorway."Not to interrupt this beautiful moment, but..."She gestured toward the window, where Cole's familiar figure could be seen crossing the quad, headed straight for their building.
Marie pulled back with a watery laugh."That's my cue to leave.We'll talk more later?"
Ashley nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.As Marie reached the door, she turned back with a hint of her old mischief."Oh, and Ashley?Nice turtleneck.Very...seasonal."
Heat flooded Ashley's cheeks as her hand flew to her neck.But Marie was already gone, her laughter echoing down the hallway.
"Well," Sarah said, grinning."That went better than expected."
A knock at the door made them both jump.Cole's voice carried through, low and amused: "Are you going to let me in, or should I try the window again?"
Sarah opened the door with an exaggerated flourish."Well, if it isn't the human ladder himself."
Cole leaned against the doorframe, all casual grace in his dark sweater and jeans, but his eyes fixed on Ashley immediately.The intensity of his gaze made her breath catch - how did he manage to look at her like that, like they were alone, even with Sarah right there?
