Indy’s eyes follow mine, finding my brother. She quickly cleans up her face. “Who are you?”
“Um…I’m Ryan.” He offers her an awkward wave. This has got to be uncomfortable for him, having a random crying girl in his living room, not to mention he’s shirtless right now.
“Why? Who?” Indy turns towards me then back to my brother. “Why are you hot?”
That causes a relieved laugh to escape me, but my brother awkwardly chokes on his saliva in response.
“Indy, this is my twin brother, Ryan. Ryan, Indy.”
“Jesus,” she huffs out. “What kind of voodoo did your parents do while you two were in the womb for you to both be so attractive?”
“I’m going to put a shirt on.” Ryan’s quick strides take him to his room.
“Are you okay?” I turn back to my friend.
“No,” she honestly admits. “I’m not okay, and I don’t know that I will be for a while. I’m sorry to come here like this, but I had no idea where else to go.”
“Stop apologizing. You’re my friend. Of course, you should be here.”
“I need a single girls’ night out. I need vodka and dancing. You and I, tonight.” She sits up straighter with excitement, even though her pretty face is stained with old makeup. “Single girls’ night in Chicago.”
“Well.” I slowly nod my head. “You see. About that. The thing is…”
Indy’s brows are pinched in confusion, waiting for me to get to the point.
“The thing is, I can’t exactly have a single girls’ night because I’m not single.”
“Excuse me, what?”
“I’m not single,” I repeat a little slower this time.
“Yeah, babe. I heard you, but I need an explanation.”
“I have a boyfriend,” I say with caution, speaking to the girl who just lost hers after six years.
“If he’s not a giant hockey defenseman who drools over you every single flight, I don’t want to hear about it.”
A knowing smile slides across my lips. “He’s a giant hockey defenseman who drools over me every flight.”
“Shut up!” Indy lights up, looking like a completely different woman than the one who walked in here. “You and Zanders are together? Officially?”
“Yeah.” I release a content and happy sigh. “That arrogant ass is my boyfriend.”
“Oh my God! Yes! I love this! I love this for you. I love this for him. Shit, I love this for me! I don’t know who I’m more jealous of. This is amazing, Stevie.”
I try to hold back my smile, especially with Indy’s current relationship situation, but I can’t.
“Are you happy?” she softly asks.
“So happy,” I admit. “But that feels like a shitty thing to say right now.”
“Stop.” Indy brushes me away. “Just because my relationship went up in flames last night doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate yours. Okay, no girls’ night out. Girls’ night in. Movies and ice cream and whatever else girlfriends do on a Saturday night.”
“Ryan will be home. Is that okay?”
“Sure.” She pops her shoulder. “What girls’ night is complete without a little eye candy?”
“Gross.”
34
ZANDERS
“Really, Vee? This is where you decide to take me?”
“Yeah. What did you expect? For me to charter a private jet, fly you to New York, and take you to Saks?”
I jolt back. “Jesus, woman. Talk about a wet dream.”
Stevie playfully rolls her eyes, pulling my hand to follow her in. “Come on, fancy pants. You said I could pick anywhere to take you shopping as long as you get to do the same.”
I stop in my tracks, right outside the thrift store, eyeing the building. “But here? Sweetheart, we can upgrade a bit, don’t you think? I’d even go to Target over this.”
Her brows furrow in disgust. “Don’t talk about Target that way, like it’d be a chore to go. You should be thanking Target for just existing.”
Rosie sits perfectly at my side, both of us equally as hesitant to step through the doors.
“Please, Zee.” Stevie’s blue-green eyes are wide and pleading. “This is where I want to shop.”
Let’s be honest, I’d go fucking dumpster diving for this girl, but giving her shit is one of my favorite pastimes.
“Rosie, please tell Stevie that she’s going to owe me a very long, very naked shower after this.”