Page 23 of Forever, Never, Always (Forever #2)

Sofia

The clink of cutlery and soft murmurs of chatter fill the air as I make my way towards the booth where Meg is already waiting. I slide in opposite her, and she greets me with a warm smile. “You okay?” she asks, taking in my creased blouse and tousled hair.

“It’s been one of those days,” I reply, trying to flatten my hair by the reflection in the window.

I don’t bother to bore her with the details of Amelia’s latest antics which involved me getting covered in coffee after she clearly tampered with the coffee machine.

I know this because she was in the kitchen for ages then demanded I make Dexter’s coffee.

She laughed so hard when I reappeared dripping wet and trying to avoid third degree burns, almost like she expected it.

Which led to me wearing my ‘spare blouse’ that I keep in the bottom of my bag for emergencies.

There’s not much I can do about the creases ingrained into it from being in there for so long, or the crumbs that seem to be stuck to it. I pick another off.

“Have you thought any more about speaking to Zoe?”

The truth is, I really wanted to run it by Ric first to get his take on things.

However, he was late getting home after work last night, which was probably a good thing because I was an emotional wreck after my day of Amelia sending daggers my way after my little stunt at claiming her article.

My article. “I know I’ve got to do it,” I say, nodding.

“And I will. I promise. I just . . . guess I want to enjoy a couple more dates with him before everything explodes around us.”

Meg gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I think you’re overthinking it.”

Zoe appears, sliding in beside Meg. Her large sunglasses are firmly in place, and her hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail. She always looks great, even in the midst of heartbreak.

“I almost didn’t come. It’s taken me two full days to recover from the weekend,” she complains, waving the waitress over as she removes the glasses.

The waitress obliges, looking only mildly irritated. “What can I get you?”

“A margarita for me,” Zoe says.

Meg gives me a wary glance before adding a water and chicken salad. I go for orange juice and a sandwich. Once the waitress has left, Meg gives Zoe a side-glance. “You’re not eating?”

“God, no. Didn’t you just hear me? I’m in recovery.”

I smirk. “And a margarita is going to help that?”

Meg checks her watch. “At noon?” Her tone is slightly judgmental.

Zoe waves her hand dismissively. “Limes count as one of my five a day.”

Meg’s expression softens as she asks, “Is this still about Ric?”

I tense at her words, holding my breath while I wait for Zoe’s answer. “Don’t get me started on him.”

“So, it is about Ric?” I ask warily.

“It’s about half the Chadwick brothers,” she snaps. “They can’t keep a damn secret for a start.”

The waitress places our drinks down, and Zoe takes a large mouthful of hers before ordering another.

“Right, maybe you need to start from the beginning,” Meg suggests.

Zoe takes another long sip. “I saw Jimmy on Saturday night.”

“Oh god, you didn’t sleep with him, did you?” gasps Meg.

“No,” Zoe hisses before grinning, “although maybe if I hadn’t been so obliterated over his brother, I might have tried.”

“You got drunk over Ric?” asks Meg with concern. “This isn’t like you, Zo. What’s going on?”

Zoe sighs like the question is too loaded and her answer is too exhausting. “I just needed to let loose. It’s no big deal.”

“But now you’re meeting us for lunch and having drinks without the lunch,” she states.

“Christ, Meg, I’m hardly a raging alcoholic because I’ve had a fucking margarita instead of a poxy chicken salad. Who are you eating that for anyway? It’s not even a real lunch.”

Meg arches a brow but chooses not to reply and instead pours water into her glass.

“We’re just worried about you, Zoe,” I say gently, and she narrows her eyes on me.

“You’re worried, are you?” I nod, and she scoffs but doesn’t elaborate.

“Tell us about Jimmy,” says Meg, changing the subject just as our food arrives.

Zoe immediately takes some of my chips, and I relax a little knowing at least she feels hungry. She’s not a total wreck.

“So, I met this guy. Business type. Boring as hell. But he was fit, and so I agreed to go back to his. We’re just getting in the cab when Jimmy rocks up like the superhero I never asked for and basically told the guy to fuck off.

” She rolls her eyes in irritation. “Anyway, he put me in a cab with him and made me sleep on his couch. Complete gentleman. It might have been more exciting if he was less gentleman and more superhero in that moment,” she adds thoughtfully.

“Anyway, my point is, I asked him not to tell anyone because I didn’t want to have this judgy conversation with you both looking at me like I’m a drunken whore.

And he went right to Ric of all people.”

“Actually, he told Hugo too,” says Meg with a grin.

Zoe groans. “So, you knew already?”

“Yes. And you missed the part where you could hardly stand—”

“Because of my heels,” she cuts in.

“Or speak,” says Meg, her tone definitely judgmental. “Especially not coherent enough to give consent to a man you didn’t know.”

Zoe scoffs. “I knew him . . . enough.”

“What was his name?” Meg demands.

Zoe smirks, taking another chip. “Boring office guy. So, yesterday, guess who rocks up to my apartment.”

I stop mid-chew, already knowing what she’s about to say.

“Eric bloody Chadwick,” she says, and I force the half-chewed sandwich down my throat and discreetly push my plate away. Meg’s eyes shoot to mine briefly, but Zoe continues unaware. “He wanted to check on me and make sure I was okay. Sweet, really.”

Meg lifts a brow. “That’s . . . decent of him.”

“Mmm.” Zoe reaches for her drink. “We had a heart to heart.”

“Good,” says Meg, nodding. “So, you feel better about things?”

Zoe shrugs. “Sort of.” She finishes the drink and picks up the second. “But then things got complicated again.” She pops a chip into her mouth. “He kissed me.”

Silence.

I blink. “What?” The room feels like it’s closing in, and my ears ring so loud, it’s drowning out any background noise.

Zoe shrugs. “It was in the moment. I’m sure he’s embarrassed. I asked him to leave.”

“He . . . he wanted to stay?” I ask, the words barely a whisper. I feel Meg’s eyes on me, and they’re full of pity.

“I didn’t give him the chance to say,” says Zoe.

“Aren’t you eating this?” she asks, and I shake my head.

She takes a few more chips. “I guess I should call him, but I feel like he should sweat a little first.” She grins.

“I knew he’d come crawling back.” She slides from the booth.

“Those drinks are going straight through me.” And she wanders off to find the bathroom.

Meg grabs my hand. “Oh my god, Sof. I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m glad I didn’t tell her,” I mutter.

“No, now is exactly the right time to tell her,” she says firmly.

I pull my hand free, shaking my head. “Are you mad? He’s clearly changed his mind, and I’m not about to lose my friendship for a cheating scumbag.” Tears fill my eyes. “He thinks he can just keep swapping between us.”

“I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m such a twat.”

“No, Sofia, you’re not. He is if that’s what he’s done.”

“You just heard her,” I cry, rummaging in my bag for some cash. I drop it on the table. “I have to get back to work. Say bye to Zoe for me.” I rush off before she can argue.

Eric

Meg is waiting in my classroom when I return from my heated phone call with a parent. It’s been a day, and by the look on Meg’s face, it’s about to get a lot worse.

“If it involves a child in my tutor, it can wait until tomorrow because I am all out of teacher battery today,” I say, laughing. She doesn’t even crack a smile, and I frown. “Everything okay?”

“You kissed Zoe?”

I freeze, my eyes widening. “What?”

Meg crosses her arms, her jaw tense. “You kissed her, Ric. Are you out of your mind?”

“No . . . wait. That’s not what happened .”

She raises a brow. “Well, that’s funny because that’s exactly what Zoe told Sofia at lunch. Just casually dropped it between mouthfuls of fries like it was no big deal.”

I brace myself against the desk, hanging my head. “She kissed me . I stopped it. Immediately.”

“But you didn’t tell Sofia, did you?” Her voice is sharp. “Jesus, Ric. Her face . . . she was devastated. And the worst part? Zoe doesn’t even know what she’s done because this whole thing is one big secret that just exploded. Both my friends are broken because of you.”

“I know,” I mutter. “Trust me, I know.”

“Why would you even go to her apartment like that?”

Right then, Hugo strolls in. His smile fades as soon as he catches the tension.

“What now?”

“Because he told me to,” I snap, pointing at him. If I’m getting dragged into the fire, I’m taking him with me. “It was your brilliant idea for me to talk to Zoe.”

Hugo winces. “How did that go wrong?”

“Because he kissed her, ” Meg snaps.

“I didn’t kiss her,” I shout. “ She kissed me.”

“Why would you even let that happen?” Hugo demands.

I groan. “She kissed me. I pushed her off.”

“Does Sofia know?” he asks.

“Zoe told us. Over lunch,” Meg mutters. “It’s all such a mess.”

“Why are we still here talking about it?” asks Hugo. “Go and see her. Explain you’re a twat and beg her to forgive you.”

Sofia opens the door halfway, peeking out like she’s afraid to let me see her. She stays quiet, her mistrusting eyes waiting for me to explain.

“I didn’t kiss her,” I say, my voice raw.

She blinks, her mouth hardly moving as she mutters, “I know what she said.”

“She’s twisting it. Please let me explain.”