Page 7 of Trust Again

Before Allie could say a word, I leapt up and wrapped her in a big hug, my face buried in her sweater. That wasn’t hard to do, since she was about the size of a Victoria’s Secret model.

“I didn’t want to look. I swear, Allie. But he was naked,” I blurted out. “It was just right there, waving in the wind.”

She returned my hug. “I know. Kaden says you looked like a frightened chicken.” She laughed.

I broke away from her. “And he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. A deer with a hard-on.”

She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. Then she peeled off her coat and set it down on the old dresser next to my desk.

I pointed to the chair that was waiting for her and shoved some chocolates and a bowl of chips in her direction.

“I think Kaden was just as scared as you. Let’s forget it. And I’ll turn up the volume on my phone,” Allie offered.

I nodded vigorously. “Yes, please. That sounds great.”

“Then we can meet at my place next time, and Sawyer wouldn’t feel like she has to run away from me.”

“You could just bury the hatchet and start over,” I suggested.

“I don’t think she’d go for that.”

“Oh, Allie.” I shook my head. “You don’t really have anything against Sawyer, do you?”

She screwed up her nose. “Not really, except for the fact that she was constantly throwing you out of your dorm room and sleeping with the guy I wanted.”

“To be fair, if I had a boyfriend I’d probably throw her out, too,” I said with a shrug. “She knew Kaden before you. After you moved in there, it was over.”

Allie groaned, still not convinced.

“We’re not in high school anymore,” I announced. “Next time you see each other, you’re going to make some small talk or something. I’m going to lay down the law.”

“Oh, really?” Allie smiled skeptically.

“Yes, really,” I changed the subject. “What are you and Kaden up to tonight?”

Allie smiled dreamily. She was so in love, it was almost sickening. But since I adored the two of them so much, I could only be happy for her.

“We have a date tonight. Dinner and a movie, and I get to pick the film.”

“Which isn’t remarkably generous of Kaden, considering you have the same taste in movies,” I ventured. “If I were you, I’d also make him let you pick the music for the drive.”

“I like you. I think I’ll keep you.”

I grinned. “Thanks, ditto.”

Allie shifted into a cross-legged position in her chair.

“Anyway, what else is new with you?” I asked carefully and imitated her pose.

“I talked to my parents yesterday. It was kind of… weird.”

Allie’s parents had a screw loose. Knowing what they’d done to her, I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy.

“Did they turn mean again? Should I sic someone on them?” I asked, pushing the bowl of chips back her way.

“It was just weird, Dawn. They were actually… I wouldn’t call it friendly, but somehow more open than usual,” she answered with a frown. “It was nice for a change, not to get slammed with insults and accusations. Dad even asked about my classes, and Mom only snorted seven times.”

“Wow. If that’s not progress I don’t know what is.”