Page 13 of Tempting Miles
Carly: Let me stop you right there, Penelope Marie Levine. You might be a couple of years older than us. But that doesn’t mean your prime has passed. Your prime lasts for as long as you want it to. We don’t let society dictate who we are or how we feel about ourselves. Fuck that shit!
Penny: Fuck the Patriarchy!
Daisy: Amen, sister! If you want to talk about “your prime passing by”. Let’s talk about me and how, despite years of working my ass *literally* off to get my yoga studio up and running, I’m still barely making enough to stay afloat. Or did you forget I got a second job to help with my bills?
Rain: Oh, baby girl. But that second job is with the man who has had you drooling for years now. #sorrynotsorry
Ruin: I have to agree with Raindrop on this one, Daisy. That’s one hellof a perk!
Daisy: A girl can dream, girls. That man is finer than vintage wine. *drooling emoji* But he’s so damn perfect. I know he’ll never cross the line.
Carly: LMAO. You should make the first move, Daisy!
Mia: Oh! Funny how my sister can give advice but won’t take it for herself. #justsaying *manicure emoji*
Carly: Shush, Mia! Manny is a gentleman. I’m sure he’d be all over Daisy if he knew she was into him. Unfortunately, the man my eyes decided to set their sights on is harder to crack than a one-year-old fruitcake.
Rain: I shouldn’t laugh because you’re talking about my brother, Carly. But fuck if I didn’t spit my tea all over the sofa. *laugh emoji*
Penny: I hate to be that bitch that brings the conversation back to a more serious note, but…
Penny:Thank you for saying that, Carly. I just got home after a long day. A long week, really. I found myself watching a movie and having dinner on my couch! I don’t want to spend the rest of mydays on the couch. I want to live, to have fun! But I feel alone. That’s the ugly truth.
A mix of curiosity and excitement settles in my chest as I wait for the girls to respond to my confession, the three little dots dancing on the screen.
Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder.
I turn and look up—and freeze.
A face I haven’t seen in way too long is looking down at me with that same easy, familiar smile. My expression shifts instantly, and I’m on my feet before I even realize it.
“Easton, I can’t believe it’s you,” I say, wrapping my arms around my childhood friend.
“It’s so fucking good to see you, Pens. I can’t believe it either.”
He squeezes me tight, our bodies pressed together, and I melt into it for a second.
God, I’ve missed his hugs.
“So, what are you up to?” I ask as I sit back down, and he drags a stool closer to mine.
“You know. Nothing exciting.” He shrugs it off while flagging the bartender and ordering a Scotch on the rocks.
“What do you mean nothing exciting? Last time we spoke, you were living the life in London,” I say, taking a sip of my drink.
“Meh.” He shrugsagain. “It got old.”
The bartender sets his drink down and asks if I want another.
I shake my head.
“I don’t follow,” I say, frowning slightly.
Easton takes a long swig, savoring it before speaking, his gaze drifting to the rows of liquor bottles behind the bar. “It was fun. A great time, even. But at the end of the day… I didn’t have anyone who really mattered.”
When his eyes come back to mine, something shifts.
There’s something there I’ve never seen before.
