Page 87 of Never Not Friends

So, without meaning to, a puff of laughter escapes at his suggestion to be on a team. Emma’s eyes dart in my direction, and for a moment, neither of us looks away.

And something about it feels familiar, like we’ve done this before.

At parties.

At school dances.

A hundred different places with other people standing between us.

Except, this time, Emma doesn’t hold my stare.

She gives me a small smile then turns back to Shane, her whole focus on him.

And I don’t know why it bothers me, but it does.

A lot.

EMMA

Summer Before College

“You won’t believe what I did last night!” Juliet plops down on one of the lounge chairs around Blair’s pool.

Blair sits up. “Where did you come from?”

“My house.” Juliet frowns like it should be obvious.

I smile. “I think Blair means, how did you know we were here laying out?”

“Oh. I saw Emma’s mom outside, and she told me you were here.” Juliet looks up at the sky. “But I don’t think you’re going to get a suntan at seven p.m.”

Blair shifts her head back, closing her eyes again. “It’s too hot to be out here any earlier.”

“True.” Juliet crosses her legs, looking directly at me. “So you’ll never believe what I did last night.”

“What did you do?” I ask.

“I broke up with Vinny!”

“What!” I fly up to a sitting position like I’m in a car and someone just pulled the lever.

“I know!” Juliet’s bubbling with the excitement of her big reveal.

“Why?” Blair asks. “I thought you were going to try long distance while he’s at college.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “That never works. Besides, it’s time to move on. We’ve been together for over three years.”

The longest three years of my life.

I have a million questions, but I start with, “What did you say? How did he take it?”

She reclines back into the chair, settling into her story. “I just told him that I felt like we were drifting apart and that our relationship had gone as far as it could. I mean, let’s be real, he’s not exactly everything I want, but he’s just been there, you know? Don’t get me wrong, I like Vinny. He’s sweet and loyal, and I know he’d do anything for me. But sometimes I feel like that’s why we lasted this long. He’s easy.”

Her words sting to my very core. Like Vinny’s loyalty is a flaw.

“But I’m ready to meet someone new. Someone more outgoing and energetic. The life of the party. That’s who I really picture myself with. Vinny’s sweet and all, but he’s just so quiet and introverted. I always have to drive the fun and excitement in our relationship. It gets exhausting.”

“Okay, but what did he say?” I’m still digging for more details that aren’t coming fast enough. “Was he devastated?”