Page 8 of Love Medley
Amelia collapses back on the frilly pillows on my queen-sized bed and closes her eyes, and I wonder if she hasn’t been sleeping well.
“I see you have a new bedspread.” She pats the frilly pink fabric she’s lying on.
I take Amelia’s comment as the positive affirmation that it is—the last bedcover was black and chosen by Weston. After strugglingwith any change, I’ve managed to do this one thing. Being Amelia, of course she noticed it.
“I know it’s super girly, but it speaks to me,” I say, offering a small smile.
“After all, I’m not made of stone,” we say in unison and burst into a gale of laughter.
“It’s too bad Iz isn’t here,” Amelia chokes out.
Our friend Isabelle, born and bred in Georgia, has lots of hilarious sayings that none of us had ever heard of until we met her. This particular expression may not have originated in the South, but it is one-hundred percent an Isabelle catchphrase.
“She and Zoe are still meeting up with us at Dessert Debauchery in half an hour, right?”
Dessert Debauchery is a favorite hangout of ours—a specialty bar that serves spectacular dessert-themed mixed drinks. It’s only a few minutes walk from my apartment.
“Yup! I’m so excited to see them. I just wish I weren’t so tired. My last rotation was an outpatient elective, literally a nine to five, and yet I still feel like I’m on Gyn Onc.”
“I’m going to give you some typical Amelia advice and tell you to take it easy,” I say, giving her a faux-stern look.
Amelia spends a lot of time caretaking those around her—me included—and sometimes we forget she’s not superhuman. I know I do.
“You’re a whiz at to-do lists,” I say, “but try not to overplan your life to the point of exhaustion.”
Amelia sighs. “You’re right.”
“See, I know how to dispense good advice too, Mother,” I grin.
We both laugh at that.
“We don’t have to meet up tonight, you know,” I add. “We can reschedule.”
Trepidation seizes my chest when I realize this is the first time we are hanging out as a foursome in almost a year. I’ve met up with Iz a few times, but Zoe only once; remembering that tense meeting makes my insides clench.
Part of me actually wants Amelia to cancel, so that I’m off the hook for another night, away from Zoe’s judging stare. It’s bizarre that a simple girls’ night out feels more like an intimidating challenge rather than a celebration of friendship.
But Amelia shakes her head. “We’ve postponed our girls’ night for too many months, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Amelia opens her eyes again and sits up. “It’s been ages.”
Dread and guilt seeps into my bones as I register that Amelia has expressed my thoughts out loud, and the truth of it rings in my ears. While I know she isn’t blaming me, I feel the accusation nonetheless.
It has been too long. And it’s my fault.
Chapter four
Lucy
Just before 9pm, Amelia and I arrive at Dessert Debauchery, which smells like cinnamon-infused heaven. My heart is pounding way too fast as we enter through the glass and wooden door and a smiling hostess with a sleek bun greets us. Swallowing, I attempt to slow my uneven breathing.
As soon as Isabelle sees me, a sweet smile crosses her face as she adjusts her chunky glasses. “Luce, you look fabulous, darlin’,” she says with her lilting Southern drawl, looking elegant in a conservative navy sheath dress. She’s practically Southernroyalty in Georgia; her father is the Chief of Surgery at Peachtree Medical Hospital.
Iz’s long, shiny brown hair frames her face in perfect layers, a departure from her typical straight cut. She must have gotten it styled recently; my heart twinges at the reminder that I’ve missed so much.
“You too,” I say, the sight of her filling me with a combination of relief and happiness. “It’s so good to see you.”
Maybe I should just relax—I’ve merely forgotten how fun it is to be with my friends.
But then Zoe, a small but fiery package of intensity, approaches me in a green, sequined mini dress that fits her like a glove, her red, voluminous curls cascading down her shoulders. She gives me a quick, perfunctory hug then brushes past to embrace Amelia more warmly.
