Stir Me (Rouse Me 2)

"Why is that?"

"Really?"

She nods. "Really. Why did you end your friendship? She's your best friend, isn't she?"

"She was."

She slides the paper towel over my cheek. "So you must have had a reason."

"Isn't that what you wanted?" I ask.

She nods. "What did you want?"

/> "Ally, the only thing I want is you. I'd give up everything if it meant I could have you."

"Last time we were here, having this conversation, you phrased things a little differently."

"I know." I look up at her. She's still a beam of light. She's still everything I ever wanted. "I didn't think she'd be okay without me."

"What changed your mind?"

"What you said. Of course. How can you be so fucking smart?"

She smiles. "It's a curse."

"You were right. I've been trying so hard to be there for her that I forgot how much I fucking hated her."

"You hate everyone."

I nod. "Not you."

"Lucky me." She runs her fingers through my hair.

Her eyes are locked on mine. They're so bright and sincere. It's like I can feel everything inside her.

Looking at her, I know all this is going to be okay.

"You don't think you're lucky?" I ask.

"Smug asshole." Her lips curl into a smile. "What did Ryan say?"

"He said you were only using me for sex. That you were done with me."

"That's awfully progressive for Ryan," she says.

"And I wouldn't blame you if you were. I mean, look at me."

"I think we've established that you're sexy as hell."

I feel her fingers on my skin. There's such a warmth to it. A softness.

She pulls away the frozen fruit and locks eyes with me. "That was your offer--to be my revenge fuck."

"I could not have handled that. I would have gone crazy thinking about you."

"This isn't crazy?" She nods to my black eye. Runs her fingers over my bruised knuckles.

"This is inevitability. I've been daydreaming about punching Ryan since he called you a whore."