think there was anything you could’ve possibly done for your best friend to abandon you.” Reese sighs. “Aimee, you are one of the kindest and most selfless people I know.”
I let out another breath, forcing the tears away. “The night before he left for college, I got a little drunk—well, we both did—and I kissed him. Everything was perfect until then. He totally freaked out on me and wanted to forget the entire moment. I was embarrassed and hurt. To top it all off, my best friend and the boy I had spent every single day with since I was six years old cut me off without a good-bye when he left me. It was the worst time of my life next to losing my mom, but you know what? If it wasn’t for meeting him during that time, I’m not sure I could’ve ever gotten through it.”
“Let me ask you one question.” Reese stares at me.
“What?”
“Did he kiss you back?”
I nod. It was the best kiss I’d ever had, and there hasn’t been one since that has compared. It was the most magical and perfect kiss ever. He kissed me back, and it felt right. For a moment, as crazy as it sounds, it felt like he felt the same way, too.
“Like I said, it was my fault. He didn’t feel the same way, and he probably never will.”
“I don’t believe that. He kissed you back, and from what I saw today, I’m sure he liked it as much as you did.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean his body language and the way he looked at you. I could feel it, and I was only in the room with you for a few moments,” she tells me.
“It just seems too good to be true. I have no idea who he is anymore. His favorite movie used to be The Godfather . I have no clue what it is now. I don’t know anything about him except what is published.”
“What’s your favorite movie, Aimee?”
“ The Notebook ,” I respond, even though she already knows. I mean, what best friend doesn’t?
“How long has it been your favorite?”
“Since I cried like a baby in the movie theatre.”
“So maybe The Godfather is still his. Like they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
“Thank you, doctor. What do I owe you?”
“As usual, it’s free to you, but chocolate ice cream is always good as payment,” she retorts.
I smile. I could really go for a carton of double chocolate.
“We should totally watch The Notebook tonight, by the way, and pig out on ice cream,” she states excitedly.
That is exactly why I love Reese. She’s knows me, and although I lost Keegan all those years ago, I gained her in the process. I hope and pray it’s always like this: fun and easy.
“Ryan Gosling, coming up,” I say.
“I’ll get the ice cream and tissues.”
I feel so much better now. I couldn’t be more excited about our evening with my favorite movie and ice cream with my favorite girl. I will worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. I’m me, and Keegan is who he is. There is nothing for me to do except what I did years before—just move on.
Reese and I watch The Notebook twice then move on to her favorite movie, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days , that coincidently hasn’t changed since the first time she watched it.
There is something to be said about the power of a good girls’ night in, because I’m starting to feel better about everything.
***
It’s early Saturday morning, and I’m lying in bed, staring at the ceiling when a ding alerts me to a text. I grab my phone from my nightstand and look to see a text from none other than Kaleb. I’m a little disappointed that it’s not from Keegan, but who am I kidding? He’s not that guy. He’s a busy man who runs a company.
Hey, home fry, you awake?
I laugh at his text, replying, Home Fry? Really, Kaleb? You haven’t changed one bit.
Sure I have, and you will find out tonight.
I shake my head as I type back, Looking forward to it.
Do you know where Paragon is?
Yes, why SOHO? Aren’t you slumming it?
Keegan wanted to go somewhere close by you so you don’t have a long