The way she said Ivy’s name was enough proof they were close friends, and at least at one time had been something more, which I already knew.

  “You and Ivy are still together?” I asked, digging my fingers in the wood behind me. That was one of the many questions floating in my head ever since Billie walked in Sisco’s as if she had never left.

  She crossed her arms and stuck her legs out. “We’re only friends and business associates now. What Ivy and I had never came close to what you and I shared.”

  “Did you tell her about me?” I asked in a steady voice. My stomach jumped all over the place, and my heart drummed so hard against my chest I could taste it.

  “Ivy knows all about you. I had to tell her because of what I have planned.”

  Planned? From the discerning look she shot my way, I had a good idea I would be a part of those plans. But how?

  I moved away from the table and shoved my hands in the back pockets of my jeans. “What are these plans of yours?”

  Billie leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. She smiled wide, showing her straight, white teeth. “They involve getting some much needed rest and catching up with you.”

  “Catching up with…m-me?”

  She rose from the chair and started toward me. “Yeah. I hate we lost touch, and I want us to be friends again.”

  “Just friends?” I inched over to the door.

  “Not just friends.” She followed me. “I want what we had before I left for Los Angeles. Now that I’m back, we can work on mending—”

  “Stop right there! There will be no mending between us.” I halted. Billie gave me a quizzical look. There had been only one other time I’d raised my voice to her, and it hadn’t ended well.

  She snorted and lifted her gaze to the sky. She mouthed something I couldn’t catch and then looked back at me. My temper rose over her blasé attitude.

  “You can’t waltz back here and think I’d fall over you like one of your fans.” I jabbed my finger at her face. “I have a good life here and I refuse to have it uprooted because you want to get laid.”

  She grabbed my finger, and I tried pulling away, but she was too fast and captured my wrist. I tugged and landed back against the door. I seized the doorknob, but Billie dropped her palm against the door and had the audacity to link our fingers together. I tensed, swallowing back a moan. My breath was choppy and my body tight with strain. A deep ache expanded in my belly. Billie’s scent, a combination of her sweat and something clean, like the smell of the ocean or the woods caressed my face. I was tempted to ask her what perfume she used, if any, and a nervous giggle climbed into my mouth.

  Her chest grazed mine. I glanced up then and tilted my head back to study her face. Billie was a few inches taller than me. I suddenly remembered all those times we’d lain in my bed or hers with our arms wrapped around one another. I’d rest my cheek on her chest or tuck my head under her chin or in the crook of her shoulder. Most times, she had to either lean or bend down to kiss me, unless I lifted up on my elbows.

  “You’re angry and upset. But you can’t ignore me. I won’t let you.” She sighed and shook her head when I didn’t respond. “I’m staying at my aunt and uncle’s, right next door to your old house.”

  “Yeah? I don’t live there anymore.” I stuck out my chin. Technically, I didn’t live in the house I grew up in.

  “Aunt Leah told me you live in your sister’s old apartment over your parents’ garage,” she said in a pleased tone.

  “You’re checking up on me after all this time? Why? What’s the point?” My voice broke and I turned my head. I had to leave soon or I would break down in tears.

  She squeezed my hand. “I told you why. We need to talk and make up—”

  “Make up?” I shook my head. “We’re no longer stupid teenagers. We had a thing back in high school. You can’t think if you had stayed we’d still be together?” Billie released me and hurt crossed her face. I ignored it in order to keep her at arm’s length. If she thought I’d let her back into my life as friends or otherwise, she had another think coming. “You walking out of my life while I went through such pain with my mom is unforgiveable. You were selfish.”

  “Mandy, what did you expect me to do? Stay around and let my big break pass? What if you were in my shoes? You would have done the same.”

  She had a good point, but I didn’t want to hear it. It was too late for explanations and reasons why. What was the point in arguing when we each thought we were right? I slumped against the door, worn out. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Yes, it does matter. I’ll prove it to you.”

  “What will you prove? Tell me how we can act as if everything is water under the bridge when we have such anger between us?” I wagged my finger, and, as Billie reached for it, I dropped my arm. If she touched me again, I wouldn’t be able to speak coherently. “You’re a mega singing sensation worth millions. I’m an underpaid kindergarten teacher working part-time at a bar. A hookup would go nowhere.”

  “Wow, when did you become such the pessimist?” She shot me a disappointed look.

  The night my mother almost died and we found out she would never walk again. I rolled my head across my shoulders to alleviate the tension there. All I wanted was to soak in my tub and then go to bed. But I still had two hours left on my shift. “I have to get back inside. My break is almost over. Are we done here?”

  “For now, but I’m not giving up on us. You’ll definitely be seeing me around.”

  I gave her a stilted nod and as I reached for the door, felt Billie against my back, her breath ruffling the top of my head. I squeezed the doorknob when she clasped my hips. I opened my mouth to tell her to stop, but the words were caught in my throat.

  “I’ve missed you so damn much. “ She shifted her face to brush her cheek against mine. If I turned my face, our mouths would meet.

  “Amanda,” she whispered, and her palm flattened against my stomach.

  I inhaled and mouthed Billie’s name. It would be so easy to welcome her mouth against mine. I was tempted, lost under her spell.

  As I twisted my face to hers, there was a bang on the door and it opened.

  I jumped out of Billie’s hold and shot past the group of people coming outside. She called my name, but I didn’t stop. I rushed ahead, flustered and frustrated. People lingered, talking and drinking, still watching the Pearls on stage. I spotted Marc chatting with Casey near the corner of the bar and told them I wasn’t feeling well and had to go home. I barely heard either of them answer as I ran out the front doors and to my car, wiping tears from my eyes.

  Chapter Three

  I huddled under the covers, more than comfortable with the air conditioning set on high. I had no idea if it was morning or afternoon, and I didn’t have any plans to leave the bed or my apartment for the rest of the day. At least I hadn’t kissed Billie. That had to count for something, that I was strong enough to not give into the urge and take her back, no questions asked.

  I snuggled deeper into the comforter. I had just started to doze but then the front door rattled. My eyes shot open, and I held my breath. I relaxed when my sister Mari, the only one who had a key other than my parents, walked into the bedroom. She wore this short, red-and-white cotton summer dress I would ask to borrow at some point.

  “I thought you would be up by now, lazybones. It’s past noon.” She tsked and sat on the end of the bed.

  “I had a rough night. The heat got to me.”

  “You don’t mean a certain person got to you?”

  I opened my eyes and sat up. I would have thrown a pillow at Mari’s sly grin if I’d had the energy. “You heard Billie’s back in town?”

  “I saw her on the Layne’s front porch with another woman near her age. Billie waved at me, and I said hello, and then she and her friend went inside.”

  Probably Ivy. I grimaced and tugged my sloppy, in-need-of-a-shower bed hair into a Scrunchie.

  “You don’t seem happy about Billie being back.” Mari patted my leg.

  I threw off the covers and stretched my arms over my head, not bothering to answer. I walked out of my bedroom and into my kitchen to make coffee. Mari came out and watched me.

  I filled the coffee maker and leaned back against the counter, listening to it percolating.

  “You have nothing to say?” She settled back against the fridge, her eyes still on mine.

  “What do you want me to say?” I lifted my hands then dropped them. Mari was the only one who knew Billie and I had been together and why we broke up.

  “Are you going to talk to her?”

  I shrugged.

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s going to be hard not to, since she’s staying right next door.”

  “I already spoke to her. She stopped in at Sisco’s last night,” I mumbled and opened the fridge. The cool air washed over me. Should I tell Mari about the conversation Billie and I had and our almost kiss?

  “And?” she asked, impatience in her tone.

  I grabbed the milk and faced my sister. “I’m not in the mood to talk about it. Maybe after I have some caffeine.”

  Mari tapped her foot and gave me a sour look. “I forget how much of a grump you are before you have coffee in the morning. Now, more, with your ex back in the picture.”

  I shut the fridge door and set the milk on the counter. “She’s here for a limited time, something about taking a vacation or a break from her music.” I dug my fingers in my palm, a wave of resentment rushing over me as I thought back to how Billie said Ivy had suggested the sabbatical.

  “It’s obvious you two have unfinished business. I think it’s fate—”

  “Please don’t give me all that mystical mumbo jumbo of yours.” I groaned. My sister had an addiction to anything with tarot cards and palm reading. She swore zodiac signs held hidden secrets regarding a person’s future. Why she’d chosen a career in library services instead of holistic arts was beyond me.

  “It’s six years, give or take, to the day you stopped talking to one another. You don’t find that eerie?” she asked.

  “And it’s been six years since Mom’s accident. Is that a spooky coincidence also?” I poured my coffee and added a generous amount of milk and two teaspoons of sugar.

  “I don’t think anything is a coincidence, even what happened to Mom.” Mari rubbed her arms as if she was suddenly cold. “Maybe Billie wanted to come home and make up for lost time? I believe you and her are meant to be together, even after everything that’s happened.”

  I shrugged and Mari sighed, disappointed. She poured a cup of coffee and drank it black. If she expected me to agree with her or hear her analyze why I should give Billie another chance, she would be shot down.

  “Other than you stopping by to tell me Billie’s back, why the visit?” I asked.

  “I stopped by to go over some wedding planning with Mom.” She finished her coffee and after placing her cup in the sink, rubbed her palms together. “Why don’t you join us? You can give some input, Miss Maid of Honor.”

  I swallowed a groan. I hated anything to do with weddings. Eventually I’d have to become more involved, but I had time since Mari’s big day was still a year away.

  “Why don’t you elope? I bet there would be less stress involved.” I nudged her with my elbow.

  “You’re not getting out of being my maid of honor. You don’t have to worry about wearing some horrendous pink fluffy abomination,” she said with a promise in her voice. Suddenly the teasing light in her eyes dimmed. “Lyle and I talked about eloping, but then I thought about Mom. When she found out Lyle asked me to marry him, she was so excited. I thought she’d jump out of her wheelchair and hug me.” She rubbed her thumb over her engagement ring. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Mom so happy. I want her to stay like that, so a big, fancy wedding it is.”

  I wrapped my arm around Mari’s waist, and she rested her head against mine. I was lucky to have her as my sister. I wish I could come up with something that would keep Mom in good spirits like Mari had. “What does Dad say about your plans? I don’t think he’ll feel the same as Mom when he learns how much it’s all going to cost.”

  Mari smiled. “He said he would spend millions to see her smile.”

  I squeezed Mari’s hip, changing my mind. “If you give me a few minutes to get dressed, I’ll hang with you and Mom.”

  My big sister’s entire face perked up. “Perfect. We’ll even look at some bridesmaids’ dresses together online.”

  “I can’t wait.” I kept my sarcasm to a minimum and went into the bedroom. I might be anti-wedding, but Mom would be thrilled if I had input on wedding preparations with her and Mari. Plus it would keep my mind off Billie and my anxiety she might stop by to continue our conversation from last night or kiss me until I forgave her for everything.

  Chapter Four

  As I left the house, I snuck a peek to see if Billie lurked around. I wouldn’t put it past her to sit on my front steps, waiting for me to appear. She could be tenacious like that. She wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted. Breathing a sigh of relief, I headed down the street.

  The heat wasn’t as oppressive as the day before. Most Sundays I walked in the park. It was the only exercise I had time for, but it kept me trim, except for my upper thighs. The dimpling and cellulite there wouldn’t go away, no matter how much I walked or ran.

  Spending the last few hours with Mom and Mari had been nice. I’d even given my opinion on a few styles for my dress. We would make an appointment next week for a dress fitting. When Mom pointed out a website with a few mother-of-the-bride dresses she’d like to try on, Mari’s eyes watered. She excused herself and used the bathroom. Usually the mother got emotional, but in this case, it was the opposite. Soon, Mari came back, more in control than before. But while she and Mom started talking about guest lists, and suggested the Laynes and Billie be invited, I decided to go on my walk before I said something to ruin the cheery mood.

  I entered the park and sped along the path and up the middle where people played soccer, walked their dogs, or lay on blankets, getting some color. I pumped my arms and did a few rotations around the track. Clearing my mind wasn’t happening. Billie was stuck there and wouldn’t leave.

  I was winded way too soon. Instead of walking until I exhausted myself, I sat on the stone bleachers overlooking the track. I used to come here a lot when I was younger. Mostly to read or study. After I started tutoring Billie our senior year, I invited her to come here with me. I loved those times when we found a shady spot under a tree to work on our homework assignments. Otherwise, we studied in my room or hers, which would lead to some hot and heavy make-out sessions.

  I leaned back on my elbows and tilted my face up to the sun, thinking back to one of those nights when all I wanted to do was lose myself in Billie’s kisses….

  “You taste like a chocolate chip cookie.”

  I giggled and dropped my face against Billie’s chest. We were on her bed, trying to study. That had been the plan, but then her aunt and uncle had gone out and left us alone. I really did try to concentrate on the reading assignment due next week, but Billie threw my text book on the floor, tackled me on the bed, and kissed me.

  Billie was such a good kisser. She was the first girl…first person I ever kissed who I liked a lot and who made me feel good. She taught me all the different types of kisses. I loved practicing with her. But lately we did more, touching under our shirts and in between our legs in ways that always made me feel really loose and relaxed.

  She ran her fingers through my hair, and I sighed. I lay on my back and she shifted to her side, still playing with my hair.

  “I was bad and ate some of the cookie dough from the bowl my mom used to make chocolate chip cookies for our church’s bake sale this weekend,” I admitted, rubbing Billie’s arm.

  She lowered her face and our lips touched. Her hand slid under my T-shirt and her palm landed on my stomach. I moaned when her fingers drifted under the waistband of my jeans. Before she went further, I dropped my hand over hers.

  She broke off the kiss and linked our fingers together. “What’s wrong?”

  I swallowed an annoying lump forming in my throat. “In a few months, we graduate. We’ll have the summer to hang out, but in the fall things will change and—”

  Billie covered my mouth with a swift kiss. I inhaled in surprise, but before I could respond, she stopped and put her forehead against mine. “First of all, you worry too much. Second, I thought we were doing more than just ‘hanging out’.”

  I winced at the hurt in her voice and sat up. Billie did the same. We sat, shoulder to shoulder, holding hands. I spotted our reflections in the mirror over her dresser. We were opposites in so many ways. She wore ripped jeans and T-shirts with strange band logos on them. I preferred khakis and button-down or polo shirts. I was involved in many after-school clubs, while Billie hung out at coffee shops writing music instead of studying. How we ended up together was a mystery to me, but I’m glad we did. I had crushes before, but she was the only one who I had real feelings for—adult ones. But I worried if Billie cared for me the same way I did for her. I had to be more than just someone she fooled around with.

  I tightened my grip. “I’m planning on going to college and you’re still not sure what you want to do.” Pushing aside my shyness, I lifted my eyes to Billie’s face. Whenever I wanted to have a serious talk with her, I became tongue-tied and didn’t make sense half the time. “You could still apply to schools, maybe Glen Oak Community College? They have a great music program,” I said in a rush. The last time I had brought up college, Billie didn’t want to talk about it, and we’d argued.