Chapter 6

 

 

Kate didn’t turn when the window creaked open. A moment later Brittney appeared in her peripheral vision and climbed out onto the roof to join her, settling into a seat at her side. In silence, the two gazed upon the starry night.

Kate had returned home an hour ago but had paced the empty house, unable to contain her emotions. Eventually she climbed out Brittney’s window and sat on the roof where she had an unbroken view of the sky.

“You’re still in your dress,” Brittney said.

“You too,” Kate said.

“Sometimes a girl just likes to look pretty.” Brittney smoothed the fabric over her knees and then raised an eyebrow to Kate. “I’ve never seen you smile like that.”

“Reed said he loved me.”

Saying it out loud sent a shudder of joy coursing through her body and warmed her to her bones. Her smile widened and she glanced at Brittney, who released a long breath and shook her head.

“It’s about time.”

Kate laughed, the sound reverberating off the back fence in the tiny yard, and she looked to the stars. The heavenly display of twinkling lights was beautiful, but this time it was not what inspired the profound sense of wonder.

She recalled the love she’d had for Jason, but it had been nothing like this. With him she’d enjoyed a sense of companionship and trust, a comfortable love that was easy. With Reed it was like every part of her flesh burst with lightning and yearning. She’d loved Jason, but Reed was her true love.

“Where’d you go after the arena?” Brittney asked.

Kate pointed to the downtown area and described where she’d gone, her smile softening as she told of jumping into the enormous pile of leaves. Brittney remained silent throughout and listened with a strange expression on her face.

“And that’s where he told you?”

“At the edge of the pile,” Kate said, nodding.

“Do you think it will ever happen for me?”

Brittney’s voice was small and Kate turned to find her staring at the roof instead of the sky. Her expression stilled the churning joy in Kate’s heart and she reached out to her friend, looping her hand through her elbow.

“I didn’t think it would happen to me,” Kate said.

Brittney shook her head. “How? You’re beautiful and strong, and I’m . . . me.”

“I didn’t think I was either of those things,” Kate said. “I didn’t realize until after I rejected Jason’s proposal, but I had been afraid of a future alone, so I stayed with him because I doubted myself.”

“But you’re stunning,” Brittney said, gesturing to her.

“To some,” Kate said. “I’m sure to others I’m hideous.”

Brittney snorted in disagreement. “I don’t believe that.”

“You’re beautiful, Brittney, and kind, and thoughtful, and generous. You’re real and considerate and gentle, and more than that, you’re loyal. You’ve helped Ember resolve conflicts and guided me to Reed, all without a word of selfishness. Do you have any idea how unique you are?”

Brittney swallowed and looked away, wiping at the moisture in her eyes. “Guys don’t see that. They only see this.” She slapped her stomach.

“You want them to see that,” Kate said.

“Why?” Brittney asked, surprise replacing her bitterness.

“The guys that don’t like your outside will never like the inside,” Kate said. “And that applies to both of us.”

“No one would ever dislike your body,” Brittney said.

Kate laughed sourly. “Two years ago I had a guy tell me if I had more to climb he might like the slopes.”

“Really?” Brittney exclaimed, aghast.

Kate nodded. “I bet there’s another guy on another roof right now, wishing for a girl like you.”

Brittney smiled and then her expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry. I am ruining your night.”

“You couldn’t do that if you tried,” Kate said, bumping her with her shoulder. “But what brought this on?”

“A guy at the dance,” Brittney said, and shuddered.

“What did he say?” Kate asked, a flicker of anger edging into her voice.

“He said I would look better naked.”

Kate frowned, her anger rising. “Please tell me you sent Ember.”

“Worse,” Brittney said. “I considered going home with him.”

“Brittney,” Kate groaned. “Guys like that just want sex. I can’t even count how many have sent nudes, thinking I would sleep with them.”

“You and me both,” Ember said, appearing in the window and settling onto Brittney’s other side.

“I think we’ve all been in that boat,” Marta said, joining them and sitting next to Kate. “Why do men think that we want to see that?”

“Because they want to see us like that,” Ember said with a scowl. “Dirty pigs.”

“Are you talking about Tanner?” Kate asked.

“Not him,” Ember said, her tone softening, “He’s nice.”

“That’s what you say until you dump them,” Marta said with a laugh.

“True,” Ember said. “But you don’t have to worry about Joey anymore.”

“Joey?” Brittney asked.

“The dog from the dance,” Ember said. “Tanner overheard what he said, and after you left I handled it.”

“Ember,” Kate said, a warning creeping into her voice, “what did you do?”

“I kicked him,” she said mildly. “Once.”

“In the crotch,” Marta said. “Hard enough he’s headed to the hospital. He was crying.”

“What a baby,” Ember sniffed.

“Is Ember going to be arrested again?” Kate asked.

Marta snorted. “You think he wants to admit a girl half his size took him down? I doubt it.”

“You’re going to get another restraining order,” Brittney said, but there was gratitude in her voice.

“Got to protect my girls,” Ember said, looping her arm through Brittney’s other arm. “Speaking of which, what happened to you?” she asked Kate.

“Reed took me to jump into a leaf pile,” Kate said.

“That’s it?”

“It was bigger than our living room,” Kate said with a smile.

“What I wouldn’t give for a guy like that,” Marta said.

“She hasn’t said the best part,” Brittney said.

They cast her questioning looks and Kate smiled. “He said he loved me.”

“What?” they asked in unison.

Kate nodded, all the previous excitement returning in a rush, spilling into an unrestrained laugh. “Reed loves me.”

“It’s about time,” Ember said with a nod of satisfaction.

Brittney giggled. “That’s what I said.”

The four of them laughed together, the sound filling Kate’s chest with gratitude. Beneath the twinkling sky she felt a profound sense of peace. She had her sisters, she had her friends, and she had her true love. She was happy.

She was whole.