Page 50 of Only You

Thirteen

Kayla had a sick feeling in her stomach as she and Josie left Macy’s. Her lying had caught up with her.

“Why didn’t you tell me Jack is your boyfriend?” Josie asked.

“He’s not,” Kayla said.

Josie eyed her closely. “That’s not what Jack said.”

Kayla felt like her head was going to explode. She’d asked Josie to go shopping to avoid Jack, and because she’d missed her friend. She and Josie had gotten along great before they’d moved in together. Kayla had reached out to Josie to salvage their friendship, but lying might have made things worse.

“Let’s find somewhere to sit down,” Kayla suggested. They found a vacant bench in a quiet alcove and sat. “This is going to sound really crazy, but here goes.” She proceeded to tell Josie most of the story, minus what happened last night in Jack’s bedroom.

“You agreed to move in with him because of me, didn’t you?” Josie said. “Because I’ve been a rotten roommate.”

Kayla sighed. “I needed some space, and when Jack proposed his idea, it seemed like a good solution.”

“How has it been, living with Jack?” Josie asked.

“It’s been … interesting.”

“How so?”

“I’m not used to living with a guy.”

“Is he messy?”

“No. He’s very neat.”

“Is he loud?”

Only when he’s having a sexy dream about me. “Sometimes,” Kayla said.

“Nobody’s perfect,” Josie pointed out.

Kayla smiled. “You’re right. I’m sorry for the arguments we had before I moved out.”

“I should have been more respectful of your feelings. When six weeks is up, you’re moving back in, right?” Josie asked, sounding hopeful.

Kayla wasn’t going to lie to her friend again. “I don’t know, but it’s not because I don’t want to be friends with you.”

“You think our friendship will be better if we don’t live together,” Josie stated.

“Maybe.”

“You’re right. Thanks for being honest with me.” Josie paused. “Now, tell me all about Jack’s friend.”

Kayla laughed at the sudden change of subject and shared what little she knew about Ryan. Then she and Josie resumed shopping. Before long, it was time to meet Jack and Ryan for lunch.

“There they are,” Josie said, pointing across the food court.

The men spotted them at the same time. Ryan smiled and waved, but Jack looked as unenthusiastic as Kayla.

Suck it up, she scolded herself. She pasted on a smile as they joined the men.

“You’ve been busy,” Ryan said, glancing at the additional bags they carried.

“At least we bought gifts for other people this time,” Josie said.