Page 111 of Perfectly Wild

After leaving Rose with Mum for the night, Samuel and I take a stroll along the esplanade, inhaling the fresh sea air. We haven’t spoken any more about him wanting to return to South America, and I’m wondering if he’ll bring it up when he sees Michael. They haven’t seen each other in over a year, although it’s not unusual for them. When I first met Samuel, he mentioned how his friends would make him take a holiday once a year to vouch for his sanity and to ensure his safety. So, the time apart never made a difference in their friendship. Samuel has been friends with him since school and vouched for him. The blackmail stunt with Yasmine was out of character, and I still don’t understand why he did it. Yasmine has forgiven him, and Samuel is happy to see him, so I’ll lower my guard for Yasmine.

Amy and Ethan have secured a booth by a window. It’s weird to see them together, and strangely, it makes me happy. Ethan is not someone I’d pick for Amy, but if they’re happy, so am I.

Ethan stands and adjusts his tie, then shakes Samuel’s hand. “It’s good to see you both.” He leans and gives me a light hug. “Edes. I haven’t seen you around the office for a while.”

“No. We’ve quite a bit going on, especially with Samuel’s parents being here. We’re still recovering from playing tour hosts,” I joke. After Samuel was admitted to the hospital, I only visited a few places with his parents. I made the remark as I don’t want to focus on Samuel’s health tonight.

“Amy,” I say affectionately and step past Ethan to give her a tight hug. “I’ve missed you, girl.”

“Me, too, babe. And I’m here to stay now. I’ve applied for teaching contracts in the city.” She pats my back. “I have really, really missed you.”

I take a seat and wait for Samuel to hug Amy before he sits beside me. “Have you ordered?” I ask and pick up the drinks menu.

“Waited for you,” Amy says and winks. “Thought we’d start with a cocktail then get a bottle of wine.”

The waitress arrives, and we place our order while waiting for our other friends to arrive.

“Ruby is an asset. I’m glad Dana recommended her before she left,” Ethan begins with office talk.

“That’s great,” I say in a high voice. I should be interested in my family’s business, only the happenings in the office are the furthest thing from my mind. “Talking of Dana, we’re going to visit her.” Before I say any more, coughing interrupts us.

“Am I intruding?” Yasmine stands at the end of the table with a goofy smile on her face. “This is Michael,” she says and giggles. “I mean, can you believe Michael is here? What the actual heck? She grabs his shoulders and pulls him in for a hug. “You know everyone except Ethan.”

Ethan stands and shakes his hand, then Michael hugs Amy and then me. Finally, he shakes Samuel’s hand before pulling him in for a hug with a standard three pats on the back. “It’s good to see you, man,” he says in a thick American accent. “We have a buttload to talk about.”

Samuel is smiling, really smiling as he moves over for Michael to sit beside him. They begin their own conversation before Yasmine has even sat beside Amy.

“So, are we going to address the elephant in the room?” Yasmine begins. I look at Michael, then Samuel. Is she talking about what happened the last time we all saw Michael?

“What the actual hell, guys?” Her arms reach out for emphasis toward Amy and Ethan. “When the fuck did this happen? And how?” Her eyes widen. “You two hated each other.”

“Did you consider secretly we didn’t,” Ethan says and winks at Amy. “He drops an arm over her shoulder and plants a kiss on her cheek.

Amy laughs and rests her head on Ethan’s chest. “Life’s full of surprises.”

Yasmine smirks at her. “It is, girl. Well, I’m very happy for both of you.”

Our drinks arrive, and Yasmine gives her order. Michael is drinking water, which is surprising.

“Before I forget.” Reaching into her bag, Yasmine reveals two wrapped gifts and hands one to Amy and then one to me. “I got you both a little something from Peru.”

Amy gives a strangled scream and tears at the gift wrapping. My gift is soft and seems delicate, so I unwrap it carefully. On top is the colored geometric-shaped Inca cross. “Oh, wow! You knew I wanted one of these.” The cross holds deep meaning and importance and it’s the same one Yasmine wears around her neck.

Her fingers go to her chest, and she strokes the cross. “Now all three of us have one.” Her gaze lowers to my present while I continue to unfold a braided band with feathers attached.

“It’s a headband.” She gives me a warm smile. “Wear it when you’re at your happy place, be it physical or spiritual. It’s about feeling at peace wherever you are.”

I gently run my fingers over the unique band as though it holds magic. “Thank you, I love it.” I lean to hug Yasmine and give her a squeeze. Her gifts always have a special meaning.

“Just what I need.” Amy pulls a colorful chullo hat over her head then tugs on the earflaps before tying it under her chin. “I love these hats.”

“We know,” Yasmine and I both say in tune then laugh.

We pack our gifts away and then Amy clinks our glasses. “To love and friendship.”

“Any special occasion?” At the end of the table, a tall, dark-haired, beautiful woman smiles at us. It took a moment to process it’s Bree, as the guy standing beside her looks a little out of place in a suit. Screams erupt from our table as we spring out of our seats to hug Bree. It’s been too long since we were all together.

The four of us have finally moved on with our lives and found partners who complement every one of us.

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