I nod, her hopeful expression too much to deny. “I’ll see what I can do.”
My aunt smiles, but I’m not sure if she believes me or not. Honestly, I don’t believe myself either.
“Just don’t waste time, Lo.” Walking over to her, I drop a kiss to her cheek and promise to call her in the morning.
I leave her house with a heavy heart, wondering how many more times I’m going to get to do so.
Tears burn my eyes, but I refuse to give in to them until I’m in the safety of my car. The second I close the door behind me, everything I’ve kept bottled inside since walking out of the doctor’s office explodes.
I cry, sob and wail for everything I’m about to lose. My aunt is all I have now. She’s picked me up time and time again, and I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.
I sit there for the longest time, trying to imagine what’s to come for us and how my life is going to change once again when the time comes to say goodbye to her.
Movement in her living room window catches my eye and forces me to turn the engine on and pull away from my parking spot. The last thing I need is her knowing how much this is ripping me apart. I can’t imagine how she’s coping; she doesn’t need to be worrying about me as well.
I slam my foot down on the accelerator and speed off down the street. The bottle of rum and the chocolate call to me from the trunk, and I fully intend on pulling on some yoga pants and sitting my ass down on the couch with both at the first possible opportunity.
I pull up on the driveway to the house Bailey and I share and let out a large sigh. I wipe any remaining tears from my eyes, although I know it’s pointless. The second she sees the redness surrounding them, she’ll know. She always does. That’s the thing with us; we might be polar opposites with everything these days, but our connection runs deeper, stronger than any differences in opinion or taste.
With my grocery bag of goodies in hand, I push through the front door. She’s there immediately.
A sob erupts from my throat and she rushes for me. Somehow she takes the bag from my hands before it crashes to the floor and pulls me into her arms.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispers in my ear as she holds me.
“She… she might only have weeks, B.”
“It’s going to be okay,” she soothes.
“How?”
“Because it will. You’re stronger than this.”
“What if I don’t want to be?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s not a choice right now. She needs you, and I know you’ll do everything you can for her. But I’m here for anything else you need. I know you’re freaking out that she’s about to leave you alone, but that’s not true. You’ve got me, you’ve got my parents. We’re all here for you, H.”
“I know you are. She’s just—”
“I know, but she needs to know you’re okay, that you’re going to be okay. She’ll never tell you, but she’s terrified too.”
I pull out of my best friend’s arms and narrow my watery eyes at her. “She called you, didn’t she?”
“Of course. Come on.”
I follow her through to the kitchen where I find a big glass of rum and Coke waiting for me.
“Thank you,” I mutter, happily accepting the glass as she passes it over.
“Drink that and then go and sort yourself out. We’re going out.”
I groan. “B, no.”
“No arguments. I’m not allowing you to sit around here and stew on things you can’t change. We’re not doing anything crazy, just food and a few drinks. Anyway, you can’t say no because I promised your aunt I would cheer you up, so…” She gives me a faux innocent smile.
Although fake, and the fact that ‘nothing crazy’ is probably a lie, I feel the first bit of excitement I have all day. I could argue and continue with my plan to drink my misery away alone on the couch, or I could go out with my best friend who’s going to do everything she can to put a smile on my face.
“Okay,” I say, having a large sip of my drink. “Whoa. How much rum did you put in this?”
“Enough.” She shrugs. “I’ve got to be honest,” she says as she follows me from the kitchen. “I thought it would take a little more convincing.”
“A night with you sounds like exactly what I need. And do you know what?” She lifts a brow as I spin around to face her. “I’m even going to let you pick what I wear.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
“Funny. I don’t want to think, so just point me in the right direction and make sure I have a drink in my hand at all times.”
“Done. Go get in the shower and I’ll work on the wardrobe.”
With my drink still in hand, I walk into my bathroom and turn the shower on. My aunt was right about something: I need a distraction, and although I might not be willing to find a man in order to do it, my best friend fits the bill.
I shower, take off what’s left of today’s makeup and wrap a towel around both my body and my hair before walking out of my bathroom.
I find Bailey standing in the middle of my room in just her underwear with two dress options hanging from her fingers. The first one is a definite no—I think I’ve got skirts that are bigger—but the second one is perfect.
“Okay, this is gorgeous,” I say, taking the soft floral fabric between my fingers. “Why have you never tried making me wear this one before?” I notice the tag still hanging on the back.
“Because I bought it for your birthday. I just thought you might need it tonight instead.”
“How many times do I need to tell you not to buy me anything for my birthday?”
“Every year. But equally, every year I’ll ignore you. So happy birthday,” she says despite the fact it’s still over a month away, holding the hanger out for me to take. I do so eagerly.
It’s a stunning navy wrap dress with bright pink flowers covering it. Granted, it’s a good few inches shorter than I’d usually choose for myself, but it’s got full sleeves to make up for it.
“You’ve got thirty minutes. I’ve booked us a table.”
“Where?”
She taps her nose before walking out of the door, holding the other miniscule dress to her body. God help me if she’s wearing that, the guys will trip over themselves just to get a look.
I pull out one of my nicest sets of underwear in the hope that it, along with the dress, will cheer me up before spritzing myself with perfume and pulling it all on.
I dry my hair and make quick work of accentuating my natural curls, allowing it to hang down over my shoulders before going for my makeup. My mood has me applying it a little heavier than I usually would, but when I sit back and look myself over, I can’t help but be pleased. I look a million miles from the girl who broke down in the hall not so long ago. My armor is firmly back in place, and I’m ready to spend some time with one of my favorite people.
“Are you ready?” I call to Bailey as I slip my feet into a pair of wedges and swipe a clutch from my closet.
“Almost. You?”
I drop my gloss and cell into the small purse and walk to her room.