Page 99 of Never Not Friends

He’s been there for hours.

So I hit send.

Five minutes later, it buzzes.

Vinny:

Oh. Is everything okay?

No, Vinny.

Everything is not okay.

Because I know how this story ends.

I’ve known since I was fifteen.

Vinny chooses Juliet. Emma waits like an idiot.

But not anymore.

I turn off my phone, removing the temptation to text him back.

He can knock on my door tomorrow. He can call me. Text me.

It doesn’t matter.

Tomorrow I’ll be busy.

Same with the day after that.

And the day after that.

Because avoiding Vinny is the only way I can protect my heart from ever feeling like this again.

EMMA

I can’t believe the one time I’m actually dating someone and significant others are invited to our monthly Oregano’s dinner, I’m still alone. Not that I blame Shane for working this weekend. He has to pay for medical school loans somehow.

If Blair were here, she could be my plus-one, but she’s still out of town for work.

But I guess it’s not that bad sitting alone at the end of the table. I have easy access to the bathroom in case I drink too much water and need to quickly escape to the restroom.

We’re doing that thing where we go around the table, updating people on what’s new. We did just all see each other three nights ago when we played games at Camila’s house, so each turn has turned more into storytime than an actual life update.

It’s almost my turn, and even though I finally have something exciting to share, I’m still debating if I’m going to tell the group about my kiss with Shane the other night. It would be a no-brainer if it was just girls here, but I’m not sure I want to discuss it in front of the men.

In front of Vinny.

Not that he’ll care. He never cares when I date someone. But still, it’s hard to talk about a new guy when the guy I’m trying to get over is listening.

“Emma, what about you?” Juliet asks. “How’s Shane?”

Oh, man. I’m up.

“Good.” My shoulders bounce up and down.

Juliet smiles. “I kept thinking you were going to text me the other night and tell me that he kissed you, but I never heard from you.”