“Sure thing. I’m thinking you need to finish the job,” she laughed as she closed the door behind her as I stepped out of the bath.

I leaned against the wall and tried to get my pounding heart to slow down. The dream I had been having was still extremely vivid.

Dreams about Mitch weren’t uncommon. But they were usually jumbled images mixed with my residual guilt and longing.

But this dream had been so real.

My lady bits were all a tingle and it was as though I could still feel him there.

Right…there.

“Oh my god,” I moaned, my head falling back and connecting with the wall.

I swore I could hear Vivian cackling as I gave myself another orgasm.

While thinking about Mitch Freaking Abrams.

“All done?” Vivian asked sweetly when I emerged from the bathroom twenty minutes later, hair dried, clothes on, cheeks no longer flushed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I remarked primly, turning on the coffee pot. “Where’s Maysie?” I asked, changing the subject.

Vivian came into the kitchen and pulled her coffee cup down from the cabinet. “She left early to go to Garrett’s and check on the place. No one’s been there in a while so she told him she’d stop by before we left today.” Vivian poured some coffee into her mug. “You’re still coming tonight, right? Because Riley wanted me to tell you she’d come and get you herself if you tried to back out.”

I laughed. “I know she will. She can be comforted that my need for survival far outweighs my fear of awkwardness.”

Vivian gave me a mischievous smile. “It would definitely be awkward if Sophie knew you were moaning her boyfriend’s name while you were—”

“Seriously, Viv, do you have to be so crass?” I complained, humiliated but unsurprised that she called me out. I had been waiting for it.

Vivian shrugged. “At least I don’t pretend not to be wet for someone when I’m secretly panting for his d—”

“Enough!” I yelled, cutting her off again.

Vivian gave me an innocent look. “Why are you so testy? Am I hitting a nerve?”

“It’s just not appropriate given that he’s been in a serious relationship for a year. How would you feel if it were Cole?” I asked and was rewarded with Vivian’s look of jealous rage.

“Bitches know better,” she hissed.

“Look, I had my chance with Mitch. I blew it. He’s happy now. That’s all I want for him.” I felt like I was beating a very dead horse.

Vivian’s eyes became uncharacteristically sad. “Why won’t you fight for him, G? For the both of you? Don’t you think it’s worth it?”

I tried to swallow around the large lump that had formed in my throat.

“Please stop pressing me about it. It’s been ages since—well you know. Why can’t you let it drop?” I poured myself a bowl of cereal though I didn’t have an appetite. I had spent a sleepless night thinking about Mitch and what I’d say to him if given an opportunity.

I still couldn’t believe that I had sent him a text.

And that he had responded.

What did it mean?

It didn’t matter. I had deleted the message and never replied. I could only imagine what he was thinking about that.

I had a feeling selfish bitch was in there somewhere.

“Things were so great when all of us would hang out. Jordan and Mays. Garrett and Riley. Me and Cole. And you and Mitch. It was perfect. Just how it should be,” Vivian reminisced.

I took a bite of mushy cornflakes and forced them down.

It was important to eat every meal. I couldn’t skip them. Because then it would be all too easy to skip the next one. And the one after that.

I took another bite and wished this conversation were over.

“Well, that’s not how things are now. There’s Mays and Jordan. Riley and Garrett. You and Cole. And Sophie and Mitch. Then there’s Gracie who as it turns out isn’t so fun to hang out with when she’s not wasted.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Vivian scowled. “Is that what you think? That you’re not fun now that you’re not drinking? I really hope you’re not that stupid.”

I managed to finish all of the cereal and got up to wash out the bowl. I was already running late for work because of my early morning clit flick.

“No. I don’t really think that. I was just being silly. But seriously, Viv, don’t start anything this weekend. Or I swear to God I’ll leave. I’ll steal your keys and drive home,” I threatened.

Vivian gave me a shrewd look. “I won’t start anything. But you need to try to talk to him. This has gone on entirely too long.”

I let out a noisy breath and leaned against the counter. “I have more things going on in my life than whether Mitch Abrams is talking to me. Just drop it.”

Lies. All lies. I told them so well.

“I just need to lie here for a while and stretch. I think my muscles have started to atrophy from being cramped into one position by Vivian’s army of suitcases.” I kicked one of my roommate’s three bags. “We’re only here for the weekend, Viv. How many trampy halter tops does one girl need?”

Vivian stuck out her tongue and hefted the largest of the three up onto the bed. “You really are cranky when you’re stressed out,” she said, flipping her long hair over her shoulder.

“Shouldn’t you be trekking this stuff over to Cole’s room?” I asked her.

“The guys are still in sound check. We’re going to head over and meet up with them as soon as you get all settled and I have a shower. I’ll take everything over later. We’re all on the same floor anyway,” Vivian explained, pulling a tiny scrap of fabric from the depths of her suitcase.

“I’m guessing you want to use my shower then,” I surmised as she started to unload a pile of beauty products from her makeup bag.

“I’ll be quick. They’re expecting us over there in an hour,” Vivian promised, blowing me a kiss and disappearing into the bathroom.

There was a knock on the door and I got up from the bed and went to open it.

“Glad to see I don’t have to make an unexpected trip to Bakersville to kick your ass,” Riley announced, walking into my hotel room.

“Happy to see you too,” I chuckled, closing the door after Maysie followed her inside.

Riley rolled her eyes and gave me a stiff hug. She wasn’t the touchy feely type so I purposefully wrapped my arms around her and gave her a squeeze.

“Aw, you’ve missed me,” I simpered, kissing her cheek nosily.

“Ugh. Enough with the hugging and kissing and squealing,” Riley said, pushing me away good-naturedly.

I grinned. “It’s been months, Ri, you need to prepare yourself for tons of cuddles. Maybe I can do your hair for you and you can paint my nails. We can make it a real girls’ night!” I enthused sarcastically, knowing the response I’d get.

Riley made a face. “Has hell frozen over? No? Well then fuck off.”

Maysie grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. She slung her arm around my shoulders while doing the same to Riley. “The gang’s all here! It’s been too long!”

“Well except for Viv. Let me guess she’s giving herself a Brazilian in the bathroom,” Riley guessed.

“I heard that!” Vivian called from the other side of the bathroom door and we all laughed.

“You’re coming over to sound check with us, right?” Maysie asked.

My stomach knotted, but I pasted a smile on my face. “Sure.”

“We thought we’d all go get something to eat before the guys have to be back for the show,” Riley suggested and I simply nodded.

Eating and food was the last thing on my mind.

But taking a drink of something in the mini bar was right at the front of it.

I felt jittery and apprehensive.

Get a grip! I scolded myself. I’d seen Mitch many times since sleeping together. Why was I getting so worked up?

There was absolutely no reason for me to feel this way. I seriously doubted Mitch would bother speaking to me at all.