“You’re welcome.” Mia waggled her eyebrows. “I’m sure you had a good time, and judging by your walk of shame outfit, I know I’m right.” She pointed at Justin’s shirt that I was wearing, and I couldn’t help but grin.
“So, how was it?” Callie asked, jumping to her knees. “Was he all romantic about it, or was he all like, demanding and telling you how it’s gonna be by laying down the law?”
“Laying down the law? Really, Callie?” Zoey giggled.
I swear I could feel my whole body blushing. If they only knew what kind of law Justin had been laying down, or rather, used. Yeah, I wasn’t telling them about the handcuffs. That would remain solely between Justin and me. I definitely wouldn’t mind using them again, though.
“Um…sure, I guess so. We talked about things. I think we have everything figured out.”
“So, does that mean the two of you are back together?” Mia asked. I was still a little uncomfortable talking to her about Justin. I knew she had a thing for him. One of the reasons she lied because she wanted me out of the picture completely, so she could have him all to herself. I couldn’t help but think she was still plotting some evil plan to really screw me over when it came to Justin.
“We’re getting there, I think. I need to go take a shower and get ready. I’ll catch up with everyone later, and you can grill me all you want.”
I left them in the living room, rolling my eyes as I walked up to the stairs when I heard them wonder why I needed a shower. If I weren’t in a rush to get ready, I would probably be laughing right along with them. But, I needed to hurry to meet up with Chris. I sent him a quick message while Justin drove me home, telling him that I was running a little behind. My gut twisted at what I was doing. Nothing was going to happen between Chris and me, but I didn’t like being so vague with Justin. It made me feel guilty, and I hated doing it. But I knew if I told Justin who I was actually meeting, he would be pissed. Before when we were together, he was never really jealous, even when it came to Nash. He was too cocky for that. Now, though, things were different. I wasn’t sure if we even had a label for ourselves yet.
I finished getting ready, telling the girls goodbye as I headed out, and drove across town to the restaurant that Chris had picked. I was a little nervous when I stepped out of my car, and walked toward the restaurant a little slower than necessary. I knew Chris was going to bring back a lot of memories that I didn’t want to be stirred up. I had moved on.
Back then I was a mess. The abortion was only the starting point for the downward spiral my life took. After that, I just didn’t care, didn’t care if I had any friends, didn’t care about any of my family, and really, didn’t care if I lived. And I kept most of those feelings contained. Someone watching from the outside might have wanted to be me, to have the life that I had, with the money and the popularity, but not everything is as it seems. Most people have dark secrets that others know anything about.
Chris knew most of mine.
“Addy.”
My head snapped around just as my hand touched the front entrance, and I slowly turned. I took a tiny? steadying breath as I looked at Chris. He had changed a lot since high school. I’d seen him here and there when he was home on breaks from college, even though I mostly tried my best to avoid him. The last time that I saw him was well over a year ago, and that was the most time I spent with him in a few years.
Instead of his blond hair being artfully gelled, like I was so used to, it was cut short, showing off those robin-egg blue eyes of his even more. He was taller than I remembered, and more built, the white dress shirt he wore was stretched tightly across his chest. The tie wrapped around his neck completed the whole grown-up look, which blew my mind.
He stepped forward as if he were going to hug me, but then thought better of it, awkwardly reaching out to pat me on the back. I licked my lips nervously, tucking back a piece of hair. I was worried this is how things would be. “It’s Della,” I managed to say. His eyebrows twisted in confusion as he held the door open for me, placing a hand on the small of my back to guide me in. “Everyone calls me Della,” I explained.
A hostess greeted us, and then we were quickly led to a corner booth tucked in the back. I opened my menu as soon as I sat down, but didn’t see any of the words; they were all a blur.
Chris cleared his throat, and I peered up to see him smiling at me. “You’ll always be my Addy.”
“What?” I stammered.
“I just don’t think Della fits.” He shook his head, cradling his chin in his fingertips as he studied me. “Nope. Definitely my Addy.”