Page 72 of Anyone But You
I laughed, half crying and clutching them both as we stumbled deeper into the suite.
“I-I can’t believe you guys are here.”
“We’re here, and we’re never letting you out of our sight again!” Alyssa proclaimed.
“For real. We’re gonna have to get your ass microchipped,” Brittney declared, finally releasing me. Alyssa gravitated towards the balcony and stood with her hands on her hips.
“Jesus… look at this view. I can’t even imagine how much a room like this goes for.”
“I don’t even think about it,” I replied, tugging her to the table.
Brittney let out a low whistle, mesmerized by the ocean. “Seriously, this feels like a movie.”
“Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” I said, herding her to the table with Alyssa. We piled our plates—mine with fruit and salmon only because I didn’t want to chance an upset stomach and be confined to the bathroom for the rest of the day. Alyssa popped the champagne with a grin, sending the cork ricocheting in the distance before expertly filling each flute. I took mine, and Brittney stood and cleared her throat theatrically.
“I need to get some things off my chest.”
Alyssa sighed and downed her glass before refilling it.
“She’s gonna get all sentimental and have all our asses crying,” she complained.
“Girl, hush. Anyway… I have a few things to say, Victoria. First, you always looked fine as hell, but right now? You look like a Bond girl who survived a jungle apocalypse, and I’m obsessed with the hair—it suits you.” She cleared her throat. “When we saw the news about your plane disappearing… I swear, I didn’t breathe for three entire months. We didn’t know where you were or what was happening to you, and as the months passed, I struggled with letting you go. I was edging closer and closer to acceptance that you weren’t coming back, and it’ll take a long time to recover from the guilt I feel. But here you are—alwaysproving me wrong. You survived the improbable and clawed your way back.” Alyssa sniffed, and Brittney powered through. “I hope you never forget that we’re your people and we’ll always ride for you, and those you love.”
“Including Knox,” Alyssa chimed in.
I could tell from the pinched expression on Brittney’s face that she wasn’t 100% sold on Knox. That woman could hold a grudge like a motherfucker.
“Including Knox,” she said hesitantly. “Here’s to survival, sisterhood, and to never letting go.”
We raised our glasses, clinking them together in unison.
“It’s my turn,” Alyssa announced, rising from the table. “Victoria, you’ve always been the strong one—the fixer, the problem-solver, and the go-getter. And as much as these qualities are strengths, I also know they’re burdens. You’re back, but you need to take time to heal and figure out who this version of Victoria is. And yeah, we joke about microchipping you, but it’s because losing you, even for a second, was like losing gravity. How can we orbit without the sun?”
Her voice cracked slightly, and I was dabbing at my eyes with a napkin that once held my silverware.
“Today, we celebrate you. Not because you’re a survivor, but because you’re a hero. We love you.”
Another round of sobs ripped from us, and soon we were enveloped in a group hug that I never wanted to break. For a moment, we just existed as three women tangled in love and friendship, and an unshakeable bond. But eventually, I pulled away, wiping my face with the sleeve of my overpriced robe and clearing my throat.
“I should say something,” I murmured, voice hoarse but firm. “You flew across the country for me. The least I can do is try to put my gratitude into words.”
“Your speech won’t come near mine, but you can try,” Alyssa teased gently as she refilled flutes.
I shrugged.
“Maybe not. You are the best bullshitter out of the group.”
Brittney snorted, and Alyssa rolled her eyes.
“Hey! I spoke from the heart!” she insisted.
“I know. I know. Here goes. I didn’t plan to make a speech because I didn’t plan on a surprise visit from my best friends. You showed up when I didn’t even know how to ask. And I need you to know that I didn’t survive that island because I’m strong or brave or whatever headline the tabloids will say about me. I survived because I kept thinking about the people who were worth coming back to.” I paused and swallowed the lump in my throat. “I will never be able to repay you two for what you’ve done for me in my absence. You fought and advocated, not only for me, but for my mother. I prayed for y’all. I prayed for healing, peace, and that you clung to the memories we shared of last-minute cram sessions, late-night pizza runs, and avoidable hangovers. There were times on the island that I was scared, but it wasn’t because I was fearful of dying; I was fearful of being alone. I can’t go through life without my people. Thank you for reminding me that I’m loved and not alone.”
My voice steadied as I raised my glass.
“So, here’s to friendship that transcends blood, and love that’s never conditional.” I clinked my glass against theirs. “To us.”
* * *
