Circle of Friends, Part 2 Read Online Free PDF

what’s it like being married?” her baby sister asked. “Do you like being on your own?”
    Noelle opened her eyes. “I do. I know you think there aren’t any rules, but there also isn’t anyone else to do the work. Chores don’t get split four ways anymore.” She didn’t mention the cleaning service Dev employed. They came every week and took care of all the big jobs, such as floors, the kitchen, the bathrooms and windows.
    Tiffany sniffed. “Chores don’t get split four ways here, now, either. With you gone, they’re only split three ways. And when Lily goes to college, it’s just going to be Summer and me. It’s not fair.”
    â€œYou think Mom should do everything?” Noelle asked.
    Tiffany glared at her. “I knew you’d say something like that. No, I don’t think Mom should do everything, but I shouldn’t, either. You didn’t have to. I hate being the youngest. Everyone is leaving me behind.”
    Noelle hadn’t thought of things from that perspective. “You know I still love you.”
    Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Yes, and yuck. I’m not talking about that. It’s just with you gone and Lily gone, there will be too much attention on Summer and me. Summer’s older and she can drive, which means it’s just me. I hate that. They’re starting to ask questions. Where am I going? Who’s going to be there?”
    Noelle held in a smile. “They’ve always done that.”
    â€œYeah, but now they’re listeningto the answers. I have their attention and I don’t like it.”
    Noelle glanced up and saw Dev listening in on the conversation. His combination of half smile and shoulder shrug told her he didn’t know what to make of this, either.
    â€œWould you rather they didn’t care?” Noelle asked.
    â€œMaybe. Sometimes. It’s just all wrong. It’s like my name.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with your name?”
    â€œIt’s stupid.” Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Do you know how many other girls have my name? It’s a joke. Last year there were three Tiffanys in my geometry class and two different ones in my English class. This guy, David, says he’s never going to date a girl named Tiffany because no one will know who he’s talking about.”
    â€œThen David’s an idiot.”
    â€œMaybe, but he’s really cute.”
    â€œSo you like him.”
    Tiffany sighed. “Maybe. But he’s not going to be interested in me.”
    â€œI wouldn’t let the name thing get you down. Boys have a way of changing their mind about things like that.”
    â€œMaybe. Or maybe he’ll like a different Tiffany.” She looked at Dev, then back at Noelle. “He’s nice, you know. Better than Summer’s stupid boyfriend who only talks about cars.”
    Noelle looked at her husband and smiled. “He’s very nice.”
    * * *
    T HEY ARRIVED HOME late and tired. “You were great with my family,” Noelle said as Dev followed her inside. “Tiffany was in a mood today.”
    â€œShe’s a teenager. It happens.”
    She smiled at him over her shoulder. “Still, all that girl-talk. You were very patient and I appreciate it.”
    â€œI didn’t mind. I like your family.”
    â€œThey like you, too. My mom said...”
    Noelle’s voice trailed off as she stared at him. He was handsome, she thought absently, but that wasn’t important. What mattered was the man inside. How he treated her and everyone else in his life. How he was honorable and kind and caring and gentle, yet the strongest man she knew.
    She trusted him—not just with herself, but with her child. She trusted him with her heart.
    â€œI love you,” she said without meaning to. The words just popped out.
    Dev’s expression froze.
    â€œI love you,” she repeated. She braced herself for a rush of