Page 32 of Secret Desire
“Yeah sure, just make me a bridesmaid,” Ariel said, already over it. “But we can deal with your love life tomorrow. For now, we need BFF time.”
I hooked my arms with Ariel and Grace. “We sure do.”
Ashley
Iwas cleaning the bathroom Saturday morning when I heard someone knocking on the door. Setting down my scrub brush, I headed for the door. When I looked through the peephole I saw my sister.
This was a surprise. She’d never been here before. I didn’t even know that she had my address.
Other than that glare in the hallway, she hadn’t spoken to me – hadn’t even looked at me – since she’d found me and Maeve fooling around. I’d never gone this long without talking to my sister, even when we were younger and didn’t really like each other.
I’d told myself repeatedly that she was the one who needed to make the first move towards reconciliation. Was that why shewas here? Or had she come to call me a whore again? I pulled the door open slowly, steeling myself.
“What?”
Ariel winced. “I’m sorry. I should have called to let you know I was coming over.”
“Why didn’t you?” I asked coldly.
“Because I was afraid you’d tell me to fuck off.”
“I can do it now if you’d like,” I shot back.
“Can we talk Ash? Please?”
Leaving the door open, I headed for the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Ariel followed me, but I didn’t offer her a drink. I just leaned against the counter, watching her as I chugged down some water.
“Ashley, I owe you an apology. A huge apology.”
She paused, and I lifted my eyebrows, waiting.
“I’m really sorry. I was out of line. It’s just… well I trusted Maeve with my little sister…”
“I’m an adult,” I interrupted. “Have been for years now.”
“I know that logically, but I’m getting used to the idea that you’re a grown woman, capable of making your own decisions. I know we have never been particularly close, but I still feel protective of you.”
Ariel took another deep breath.
“Maeve and Grace and I have never had secrets before,” she continued. “At least not big secrets. But things have changed for us, with me and Grace being in serious relationships now. We’ve all felt the distance between us. Learning that Maeve was having a secret relationship with you felt like a big betrayal.”
“And what would you have said if we told you in the beginning?” I asked, crossing my arms defensively over my chest. “Back when we were trying to figure out if we even wanted a relationship?”
Ariel made a face. “I’m going to be honest. I probably would have been pissed.”
“There you go.”
“When I saw you two in Maeve’s office, I’m not sure what part bothered me the most – you two sleeping together, or you keeping it a secret. But Theo made us talk yesterday and, well I can see I was wrong. Sadie told me. Theo told me. But I needed some time to get there on my own I guess.”
She paused, then added, “Because I’m a giant idiot. I was a total bitch to both of you.”
“If you’re expecting me to argue with you, you’re going to have a long wait,” I said, but I felt myself softening towards her.
Ariel wasn’t big on apologies, or admitting she was wrong. My sister was confident, sometimes overconfident, and was usually convinced that she knew what was best. I knew it took a lot for her to come over here and apologize.
“Maeve and I made up yesterday thanks to Theo and the Wonder Woman talking stick.”
I frowned in confusion, but she continued talking.
