Page 36 of The Perfect Deal
With renewed vigor, I hopped out of bed and headed to the shower to get ready. It was already a warm day, even though it was still morning, so I decided to wear a sundress. I took my time getting ready, showering, drying and styling my hair, and putting on my makeup. I was sure Poppy would get hung up downstairs with my brother when she arrived anyway. It never took her as long to get ready to go anywhere as it took me, but then she would’ve factored that in.
When I was finally ready, I bounced down the stairs to see her sitting in the kitchen, talking to Landon about wedding stuff. “Good morning,” I greeted.
Poppy got up and rushed toward me, wrapping me in a hug. “Hey! It’s so great to see you.”
“Thanks. Are you ready to go?”
Landon got up and walked over, a smirk on his face. “Don’t be out too late, girls. It’s a school night.” He winked at me, and I could tell he was glad to see me out of my room. Then, he kissed Poppy, and we headed out.
An hour later, we were strolling between shops at the strip mall, trying to decide where to eat when Poppy said, “Are you ever going to tell me what happened at camp to make you come back so early?”
I froze in place, not sure how to respond to that. She was my best friend. She knew me better than anyone. So, of course, she knew I wouldn’t just come back from camp for no reason. “Um, it’s complicated,” I told her.
“Well, let’s go to the Mexican restaurant and get some tacos and a margarita, and you can tell me all about it.” She gave me an encouraging smile, and I decided that was a good plan. One drink a few hours before I had to drive home wouldn’t be a problem, after all, and I could use a few dozen tacos.
Once we had our chips and guac, as well as our drinks, I told my best friend everything. I started with how amazing it was to finally be with Joshua away from Landon’s watchful eye. Then, I told her about that kiss in the woods, and how he’d come and apologized the next day. I told her I was pretty sure that was it, that nothing else was going to happen. But then I’d gotten brave and invited him to go swimming. Her face had lit up with that, and I knew she could tell what was coming.
“Then, once we were back in his cabin, I put on the T-shirt he offered me, and I walked straight to his bed and kissed him.” Letting out a deep breath, I thought about how magical that entire situation had been. I wasn’t one to go into a lot of detail about my sex life, but I could feel my face heating up speaking of it now.
“Did you… you know?” she asked me, her hands clasped beneath her chin.
“Yeah, we did.” I looked down and then picked up my glass, practically chugging my margarita.
“Finally!” Poppy exclaimed. “I can’t believe it. After all this time, you finally had sex with—”
“Poppy!” My eyes wide, I cut her off, looking around the restaurant. “This isn’t that big of a town.”
“Sorry, sorry,” she said, her face flaming red again, this time from embarrassment. “I’m just happy for you.”
“Don’t be,” I told her. I couldn’t help the fully depressed sigh that came out of my mouth, and even before I started my explanation, I could tell by my best friend’s expression she could fill in the blanks. “The next day, he wouldn’t even look at me, let alone talk to me.”
Tears stung the backs of my eyes as I thought about how heartbroken I’d been, how heartbroken I still was.
“Oh, Liberty.” Poppy reached across the table and took my hand, squeezing it. “I’m so sorry. I’m sure he had a reason. It had to be a stupid one, but he had to have something going on in his head to make him act that way. Did he finally come around?”
I shook my head. “Nope. That’s why I ended up coming home early. I just couldn’t bear to be around him while he was acting like that anymore. I mean, he treated me like garbage, like I was just some chick he’d picked up in a bar, fucked, and then hoped he’d never have to see again, but it turns out I happen to work at the same place as him.” I dragged my free hand through my hair and fought back the tears that were still threatening to fall.
Poppy slowly shook her head, trying to come up with something to say to make me feel better. When she finally spoke, it was from a place of knowing the entire situation. “Liberty, he has to just be scared. You know how Joshua feels about Landon. He’s probably afraid he’s ruined everything with his best friend. If he thought he could just be with you without hurting Landon’s feelings, he’d do it. Now, he’s gone against what he promised Landon he would never do, and he just doesn’t know how to deal with it.”
I knew what she was saying was accurate. It all made sense, but that didn’t make it easier to accept. “I just wish he could choose me, you know? I don’t want to hurt Landon either, but we are adults. Landon might be mad for a few days, but he will get over it.”
“I know he will,” Poppy agreed. “But it is almost time for our wedding. Maybe Joshua is just afraid of the timing.”
Choking on a laugh, I said, “Nah. He’s just running away from me because it’s easier that way.”
“Give it some time, Lib,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Joshua cares very deeply for you. I can see it whenever the two of you are together. Let him work it out a little bit, and I’m sure he’ll see that he can’t live without you.”
Reluctantly, I nodded, removing my hand so I could finish off my drink. I wanted to tell her that she was right, but I wasn’t so sure. If Joshua really did care so deeply for me, how could he shatter my heart so effortlessly?
Later that evening, we were back at my house, watching a movie. It had been Poppy’s night to choose, and when she selected the rom-comDon’t Tell My Brother I’m Into His Best Friend, I hadn’t been enthused.
Granted, it was a good movie. Jane Larson was great in it, so funny and enchanting. We’d watched it together several times over the years, but it made my heart ache to see Jane’s character running around with the best friend, the dreamy Stone Mason.
The sound of the front door closing almost made me spill my popcorn. I’d thought Landon was out for the night, but there he was, strolling into the living room and plopping down onto the couch between us. At least he was alone. If he had Joshua with him, I might’ve had to fake a frantic bout of diarrhea and rush out of the room.
“Hey, baby.” Poppy welcomed him in with a kiss on the cheek. “You’ve seen this before, haven’t you?”
“Oh, this is the one where the guy stabs his best friend in the back by screwing his sister, isn’t it?” he asked, a sarcastic smile on his face.