Page 26 of Forever Yours

He transferred his bag to his other shoulder. “You guys seem to be hanging out a lot. He came by here the other night, then you guys met up yesterday at the beach.”

“Ran into, not met up. Completely different,” I replied and grabbed my bag.

When we stepped out of our room, the hallway was full of activity, the slamming of doors, and excited chatter.

Ash slung his arm around my shoulder. “And so it begins.”

Millions of butterfly wings furiously flapped inside my stomach. First day of classes. First day of college. First day of an unknown future I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

I stood still for a second, absorbing everything around me. The nauseous feeling in my gut. The noise. The people. My phone vibrating in my bag.

Following Ash to the stairs, I took out my phone and swiped to accept the video call from Jessi.

“Happy first day!” she shouted as soon as her face came on screen. “Where the heck are you?”

“Just heading out.”

“Who’s that?” She waved, not at me, but at whoever was trailing behind me down the stairs.

“I don’t know. Hold on.” Wanting to be careful and not bust my ass falling down the steps, I switched the phone to my other hand so I could grab the stair rail. “What the hell are you wearing? Angle the phone. The words are cut off.”

Jessi giggled and moved the phone away from her as far as her arm could stretch. She was dressed in a pink T-shirt that had a tabby cat’s face on it with its tongue sticking out. Below it were the words:“Like My Pussy?”At first, I thought it said lick my pussy.

“If I said yes, could I pet it?” the guy behind me said, and I looked over my shoulder to frown at him just as Jessi gave a huge eye roll and replied with a stern, “You wish.”

“Let me see,” Ash insisted just as we reached the bottom step and rounded the corner to head out the front of the building.

I handed him my phone.

“Love it. Do they make ones for guys that say:‘Like My Dick?’”

“Thank you, and yes. But I doubt you’d want one. It has a picture of Richard Nixon’s face on it,” Jessi replied.

Ash burst out into loud laughter that had several people walking by us turning their heads. It took me longer to get the reference, but when I did, I grimaced.

“That’s so bad.”

“Did it seriously take you that long to get that?” Jessi asked over the video, but I couldn’t see her because Ash started walking off with my phone.

“Hey!” I grabbed the back of his shirt to stop him, then stole my phone back.

Not deterred in the slightest—that whole ‘no personal boundaries’ thing and all—he smushed his face next to mine so his head would be in the frame. Of course, we got more looks from people.

I felt his cheek crinkle as he smiled. “We haven’t officially met. I’m Ash. Elijah’s new best friend.”

“I’m Jessi, Elijah’s best friendfor-e-ver,” she enunciated slowly.

Not deterred, Ash told her, “Which means you’re now my bae by association.”

Jessi shook her head, her black ponytail swishing around her face. “Can’t be your girlfriend because I already have one.”

He clicked his tongue. “Worth a try.”

Their banter could go on forever, and I was getting to the point of beinghangry.

“I’ll find new best friends if you guys keep talking. I need coffee and a breakfast bagel.”

“See ya later, Jessi-bae.” Ash blew a kiss bye to Jessi, who pretended to catch it, crush it in her fist, and sprinkle it onto the floor. He grabbed at his heart, pretending to be afflicted. “Your girl is cruel.” But he said it with a smile.

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