Page 84 of Told You So
Forty-Four
Bethany
As I’m putting the clean towels away in the supply closet, I hear the front door bell chime, and I head out to the counter. I’m grateful to see it’s Anna Marie come to relieve me. “How’s it going?” she asks. “Is it as dead this evening, as I expected?”
“Yep, I’m afraid so.” I lift the appointment book up for her to see the blank time slots. “I did book a few sessions for tomorrow.”
“That’s promising.” She stashes her purse behind the counter. “Thanks for covering a few hours for me today.”
“Yeah, sure, it’s the least I can do since you’ve let me crash at your place the past couple days.”
“I have an extra room, it’s no big deal. I’m just glad you got out of there.”
“Yeah, me too.” I give her a sidelong look and when she meets my gaze, her cheeks are rosy.
“What?” she asks sheepishly.
“How was your make-out session with Bobby?”
Anna rolls her eyes. “It was astudysession,” she says. “We werestudying.”
I raise my eyebrows, biting back a smile.
“Fine,” she finally admits. “How did you know?”
“Well, for starters, you guys don’t have any of the same classes. You’re a business major, and Bobby’s doing the bare minimum to keep his hockey scholarship. Therefore, you werenotstudying. Not to mention, I know you guys have been hooking up.”
She smacks my arm. “No, we have not.”
I gape at her. “Why are you lying again?”
“I’m not lying, I just—”
“You just what?”
“I’m trying not to get my hopes up. He’s hot and sweet and funny... He’s a mechanic and can work on my car when it breaks down—and trust me, it’s on its last leg.”
I shake my head, surprised to hear the unbridled adoration in her voice. “You really like him, huh?”
Her full, perfectly shimmering lips pull into a giant smile. “Yeah, a little.”
“Ha. I think more likea lot.”
Anna giggles, and I smile with elation for her. She’s been one of us ‘lost girls’ for a while now, scared to commit after a Mike-esque boyfriend broke her heart, hence her partying and playing the field. Bobby seems like a good one, though, and I’m happy for her.
“So, what’s this dateyou’regoing on tonight with Nicky-poo?”
I laugh. “Don’t call him that, please. I beg you.”
“I’m happy to call him whatever you want. I’m just glad you guys are finally getting it on. It’s seriously been so painful to watch for this long.”
Rolling my eyes, I stick my tongue out at her. “Whatever, it’s not like it’s a fancy date or anything. I just thought it would be fun to actually do something together that didn’t involve schoolwork or his friends, for once.”
“I like it. You asked him on a date, very assertive. And it’s so soon in your relationship, which means you’re totally falling for him, but I already knew that. I always like it when people prove me right.” She holds up her chin with more self-righteousness than I think she knows what to do with.
“Like I said, it’s nothing big. Just dinner and drinks at his house.”
“Perfect.” Her eyebrows dance. “Quality time with a bed in the vicinity. Always a good idea.”
