Page 66 of Let's Be Forever

“Don’t tell me you called out of work for that?” I ask, disbelievingly. At her nod, I scoff. “You’re all insane if you believe there is anything going on.”

“Anna, I don’t know why you’re surprised. I’m nothing if not a nosy bitch. Come on, keep up.” Jenny tuts, snapping her fingers at me.

“I’ve told you all, nothing is happening between us.” I roll my eyes, taking another sip. “You all know what his parents did, how he didn’t know about Rosie. I’m not going to hold that against him. We’re co-parenting and trying to make this work, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to get back together or?—”

Maya’s chuckle is patronizing. “‘Every day, all the time, I miss you. I can’t let go. I don’t want to. I need you.’ You want to tell them who said that to you?”

The girls gasp, eyes wide with astonishment as they snap in my direction.

“What?”

“Sylas said that?”

“Anna, what the hell?”

“Nothing is happening my ass.”

“I knew it. I told you he’s still in love with you.”

“Stop.” I raise my voice, speaking over them, but quiet it when Rosie pokes her head up. “Of course you were eavesdropping.”

“I didn’t mean to.” Maya shrugs unapologetically before leaning a hip against the table. “You guys weren’t necessarily being quiet.”

“And what did she say?” Em asks Maya as if she knows I’m not going to answer.

“She said?—”

I interrupt her, feeling a range of emotions. “Doesn’t matter what I said. We’re not getting back together. We’re trying to make this new normal work. And I’m going to live with him until I find another place. Sorry to burst your bubbles, but that’s as exciting as our relationship is ever going to get.”

Jenny hums pensively, and a small smile toys on her lips. “Okay, so how was your first day living with him?”

After the small moment we had in the kitchen, we didn’t see much of each other. I had to move my stuff out of the apartment, which thankfully didn’t take long because I didn’t have a lot of time. Sylas said he would have offered to help, but he had a few things to take care of. While I heard him come in late that night, I stayed in my room, afraid I’d cave and do something I’d regret.

“We didn’t see each other. He’s busy with hockey and I was moving.”

I catch movement through the glass and have never felt more relieved to see a customer.

“Okay, I’m going to give you both five minutes to ask anything you want. I’ll answer honestly. When the time is up, we’re done talking about this, okay?” I tell Em and Jenny.

Maya and Rosie left an hour after she showed up, but Jenny stayed with us and helped around the bakery until closing.

We’ve talked about everything—from the bakery, the guys Clementine’s talking to, the tattoos she’s considering getting, and Jenny’s life in New York.

She wears a smile on her face as she talks about her family and working at the pharmacy. It’s not necessarily fake or forced, but I know she craves more and wishes she could do what she’s always dreamed of doing—music.

Jenny taught herself how to play four instruments. She also has a YouTube channel where she occasionally posts videos. In spite of it all, she’s resigned to impossibility of making it work.At least that’s what she said a few years ago. She hardly brings it up these days.

Now that we’ve exhausted all topics, I can hear their questions about Sylas and me swarming their heads, their probing stares speaking volumes.

I start the timer on my phone. “Go.”

“Do you still have feelings for Sylas?” Clementine gets straight to the point. Of course she does.

My heart picks up. I still love him, and I always will. “Yes.”

They look at each other and nod.

“What’s he like with Rosie?” Jenny asks, grabbing a spoonful of flan.