Page 61 of Setting Limits

“Eh, I won’t subject you guys to Tristan. I’ll just save it for the gossip. Thanks for having me! I’ll see you around.” With a quick wave, she leaves.

Once the door is closed, I release a big yawn, and Shay falls back on the pillows with a heavy sigh.

“That was fun, but socializing with new people is exhausting.”

I can’t help but laugh at her. She would be a hermit if I let her, and then now with Lochlyn, well, they’d just be hermits together.

“It’s good for you to get to know some other people around here, Shay. As much as you may want to, you can’t just hole away with Lochlyn forever. And I’m making friends too, including with Marissa, and there’s some girl in my class who wants to be friendly. It’s worthwhile to meet people.”

“I never said it wasn’t. It’s just exhausting. Which is good, in a way, because then I’ll actually sleep tonight.” She tosses and turns so much. I’m just starting to get why.

We get ready for bed like well-oiled machines set in our routines. It’s not until we both climb into our beds that I see the slight smile on Shay’s face. Normally at this time of night, she’s a little sadder, clearly missing Lochlyn’s presence. But tonight, she’s happy, and a little more socialized.

“I liked Marissa. She’s nice. I hadn’t had too many conversations besides a quick hello before now. We should definitely do that again.”

“I was just thinking the same thing. I’m glad you agreed. I know you can be a little down on our nights.”

“It actually distracted me a little more, having that extra person here. It was double the conversation and interaction and because I’m a little anxious around newer people, that kind of tired me out a bit. I’m glad you suggested it, Chels.” When she looks up at me, she’s smiling, and her eyes glint above deep shadows.

“That’s great, Shay. We can for sure do it again. Good night.”

“Night.” Sleep drips from her voice and she seems to zonk out pretty quickly as her breaths even out.

I’m not far behind, and the last thing I can think about is how excited I am to be able to see Wes’s cobalt eyes sparkle with that lopsided grin he gets every time he sees me.

Chapter 31

Ikeepmyeyeson Lochlyn as he watches Shay and Wes doing dishes in the kitchen. His mouth turns up at the corners the slightest bit, and every time she laughs, a twinkle skitters across his eyes. He’s happier than I've ever seen him.

“I like seeing you happy, big brother.”

It takes him a second to tear his gaze from her, almost like he can’t bear to not have her in his sight for even a moment. “Thanks, Chels. I like seeing you happy too. Little weird that it’s with my best friend.”

“Guess we have that in common, then.”

“Yeah. Guess we do. Though, we handled it differently.” There’s a terseness to his tone that I don’t exactly appreciate.

I tilt my head at him. It still stings when it’s brought up, even five months later. “I thought we've passed that. I thought things have been forgiven.”

He holds up his hands in peace. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” It’s as though he fights a losing battle as he keeps glancing sideways toward her. It takes one loud laugh from the kitchen for him to turn his full attention back in that direction.

Wes and Shay have become close over the past few months. They hang out together every now and again when Lochlyn and I have class. I like that they’re friends, it helps when we’re all together.

Biting his lip and looking down at the ground, Lochlyn turns his attention back to me. “I’m going to marry her someday, Chels. I hope you’re okay with that.”

My eyes start to fill immediately as my heart swells. “I know you are, Loch. And I’m more than okay with it. Please, don’t feel like you need to check with me. Shay’s always been like a sister to me. It’ll be nice when we’re real family.”

It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest when he says this. It’s been inevitable since they got together, whether I knew about it or not. The fact that they’re almost twenty-two and twenty has no bearing on it. I know they won’t rush into anything, or if Lochlynwereto propose soon, Shay would insist on a long engagement. She’s responsible like that, and I know she’d want to be done with school first.

The smile he gives me in return causes one to break across my own face.

“What’s everybody smiling about?” Shay asks casually as she walks back into the living room, striding right over to sit in Lochlyn’s lap, legs hanging over his. He doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around her waist, fingers interlocking as he scoots her up his lap. A dazzling full-toothed smile—that makes my heart jump at my best friend’s happiness—brightens her face as Lochlyn presses his lips to her ear, whispering.

Wes flops down on the couch next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as he pulls me against his chest. I keep my eyes trained on Lochlyn and Shay. They’re mesmerizing.

“Loch.” I call his attention away from Shay, and he looks at me like he’s lost in a daze. “Just…not too soon. Enjoy this time.”

He nods curtly at me, the corners of his lips still pulling up. When he notices Shay’s confused look, he nuzzles his nose into her neck.

---