“No thanks,” Bella says, turning and walking across the path to her villa. “I’m gonna go for a run and then lie by the pool if you want to join me.”
Shrugging my shoulder at her, Bella waves and then disappears inside her villa. I do the same, closing the door behind me and then leaning back against the cool surface.
It’s hot out already today. It’s going to be close to ninety degrees. The last thing I want to do is be outside with the sun beating down on me. Even if the pool is right there to cool me down. I much prefer the cold air of my villa. I have the air conditioning set to a frigid sixty-five degrees.
Plus, a little downtime would be a good idea. I haven’t talked to Naomi lately, and I need to catch her up on a few things.
ME: You around to chat?
NAOMI: Ten minutes. Just jumped out of the shower.
ME: Call me when you’re ready.
She sends back a thumbs-up emoji as I flop backward on my unmade bed.
Looking around the room, I take note of all the little details. My underwear discarded near the door to the bathroom. My tank top next to it. One of the pillows from the bed is sitting in front of the open closet doors.
This place is a mess. I haven’t picked up in a few days, which is very unlike me. Then again, I’ve been a little preoccupied with other activities. Like sneaking out to meet Jace. Or him barging in here to find me. Our cuddle session last night that turned into another sleepover. Which is why the bed isn’t made.
Teegan was knocking on my door this morning before either of us were ready to get out of bed. Jace hid in the bathroom while all the girls waited in the living room for me to change so we could walk down to breakfast together. I was kind of hoping to find him still here when I returned.
A girl can dream, right?
It appears he slipped out after we left.
My phone rings, causing me to jump. Naomi’s face is smiling up at me as I slide my finger across the screen. I miss my best friend. Since meeting, we’ve barely spent more than a few days apart. We would meet up for drinks at least a few times a week. Hit the gym together when we could. And as of recently, we live together which means coffee every morning. Being away from her is heartbreaking.
I feel like a part of me is missing.
The part that keeps me sane. My conscience. My better half.
I know that’s the way you’re supposed to feel about someone you’re in love with, and I did feel that way about Wren at one point, but my relationship with Naomi is special. I’ve never had a friend like her before. Someone who I want to be completely honest with no matter what she may think of me or my actions.
Because she’s not judgmental. She’ll give me her opinion but won’t make me feel bad.
Her advice is spot on. Worth its weight in gold.
But more than anything, it’s the complete acceptance of me that I love about her the most. Nothing will ever tear us apart. Not a guy. Not distance. Not even death because, even after one of us goes, the other’s memory will be carried on.
I can hear the excitement in her voice as soon as she says hello. It’s not to talk to me, though. It’s this new guy she’s not telling me much about. She’s falling for him, and it’s scaring the crap out of her. She’s afraid if she says too much, something will go wrong. Like somehow she’ll jinx her situation by discussing it.
I get it. Hell, I’m in the same boat.
So I don’t push her. Not until I meet this guy. Which could happen next week or next month.
Or, if something changes, not at all, which I hope is not the case. I haven’t heard her this happy about something or someone since she started her job. Teaching is all she’s ever wanted to do with her life.
Shape young minds.
Mold little people into upstanding students.
Her passion makes her great at what she does. I sure as hell don’t possess the patience she has. I’d end up getting fired for saying the wrong thing in front of a child.
We talk for over an hour, catching each other up on day-to-day life. I fill her in on Teegan and Courtney’s antics, and we share a good laugh over it. She agrees with me that they’re probably working on a plan to get rid of me. I can’t stop them, and I don’t plan to try, so I take Naomi’s advice and make a plan of my own.
I’m going to go at them from a different angle. One they won’t see coming.
I’m going to kill them with kindness. Be their friend. Hang out with them. Laugh at their stupid jokes.