Page 4 of Forever with Me

“Don’t worry, grump, I’m sure nobody will believe that we are sleeping together.”

I’m going to have a heart attack!

“Uh, what, Alex! Seriously, you are incorrigible,” he turns to Cole. “I’ll be downstairs if needed.” Shaking his head as he walks away.

“Sure, no problem,” Cole sounds just as amused as I am from their exchange. “Text me if you come across any additional information regarding our conversation earlier.”

Foster nods as he leaves.

I look at Alex. “Spill!”

“What? What do you mean?” She feigns innocence, touching her hand to her chest mimicking shock and awe.

“Don’t you dare! Alex, spill! Are you sleeping with Foster?”

She looks between me and Cole. I can tell she’s debating whether to tell us a juicy story.

“He won’t care,” I smile, motioning to Cole. “You’re always saying that Foster is too tightly wound and he should get laid, right?” I ask, looking at Cole.

“I couldn’t care less what he does in his spare time so long as he does his job. Alex, are you what he’s doing in his spare time?” He questions laughingly and I join him.

“A lady does not speak of such things,” she answers.

I pinch Cole before he can say what I know he’s going to say.

“Ow! Damn, woman! I wasn’t going to call her a woman of the night!”

I just shake my head as Alex tosses a napkin toward us. No matter how hard we try to pull it out of her, it seems that whatever is happening between them is going to remain between them. After chatting for a bit, Cole excuses himself to his office to make calls and dive into damage control, leaving Alex and I to sit and talk.

“How are you holding up?” she asks, concern etched on her face.

“I mean, I think pretty well. We seem to be a magnet for trouble,” adding more melodrama than needed.

“Stop it, you know that isn’t true. You two are stronger together and you will weather this storm. I’m sure you could use a break, though.”

“I just want to chill with my husband and do normal stuff. I hate that Carter has still found ways to hurt me, even from the grave.” I close my eyes feeling the weight solidly landing on my shoulders.

Reaching out to take my hand, Alex nods understandingly. “I get it. I wish I could help.”

“You are, just by hanging out with me. I’m also thankful that you were able to make light of all of this and allow Cole to laugh.”

“No worries, he’s my homie.”

“Homie? Seriously, you are such a nerd.”

“Whatevs, I’m down with the kids!” Only she could use a Twilight reference for real life!

At that, we start laughing, the kind of laughter you only share with your best friend. The kind where you are doubled over for absolutely no reason at all. Taking deep breaths to try and calm ourselves, I stand to get something to drink in the kitchen.

“You want something?”

“Nah, I’m good. You know what I was thinking about? Do you remember that night at the Sigma Chi House when we ran into Carter? You were so creeped out after that, I wish we would’ve known what a monster he was then, it would have saved us some serious trouble!”

“I was thinking about that night today, actually. In school, I never really had too many instances with him. I didn’t really know him. When we met at the party, I honestly didn’t remember him.”

“Totally! I remember he was such an asshole in college. Every girl that I knew that dated him said he was a douchebag.” She shivers as if the memory grosses her out.

“Well, I guess karma is a bitch.”

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