Chapter 14

DARCY

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"I'm headed to the school," Cole says as he gives Ashleigh a chaste kiss. "You girls have fun," he says as he kisses me on the forehead and slips a credit card in my hand with a wink.

What is it with guys slipping me credit cards? While I appreciate it, I don't like that they think I can't pay my way. Yes, I may be a struggling college student, but once I graduate, I'm looking forward to working and having adult money that I earn. I have money from waitressing, and since Chance is paying my rent, I've barely spent any of my money. Today might be a little splurge day after all.

"What, no kisses for me, Cole?" Sammie teases from the couch. He grins, walks back into the apartment, leans over the back of the couch, and gives her an upside-down Spiderman kiss, catching her off guard.

She pops up and barely misses falling over the coffee table. Ashleigh and I double over, laughing.

"You should know better, Sammie," he says with a chuckle, kissing Ashleigh again and walking out the door.

"Gah, he drives me nuts," Sammie says.

"Me too," Ashleigh and I both say simultaneously. We all erupt in laughter.

Ashleigh settles on the couch next to Sammie, and I drape myself over my reading chair. "I like your place," she says. "It's exactly what I imagined your apartment would look like. Too chic for a typical college apartment, but bohemian enough to say cool."

"That's all our girl," Sammie says. "She's just got that je ne sais quoi about her. Wait until you see what she's done with Chance's house. It's incredible."

"Well, it's easy when you've got money." Spreading my arms around the apartment, I say, "It's a little more challenging when you don't."

"Well, I love what you've done with the place. Sincerely. You have a genuine talent," Ashleigh says. She directs her attention to Sammie. "So, you're pre-med. That's pretty amazing."

"Yeah, it's not bad. I'm working on my applications, but fingers crossed, I get into school here in Charleston."

"Then you can keep seeing Jay," I say in a teasing, sing-song tone.

"Ohhh, who's Jay? Gah, I miss the girl talk," she sighs. She hugs a throw pillow and settles in for the tea.

I smile at Sammie and fill Ashleigh in. She blushes but denies nothing. I'm happy she's enjoying her time with him. He's a good guy. I shoot him a text and invite him to dinner tonight. I'd love for Cole and Ashleigh to meet him. He's become a good friend and an important person in my life in this short time. And in Sammie's, too.

"So, what about you, Darcy? Who makes your heart stutter?" she asks.

I feel the heat rush to my cheeks, betraying my response. "No one, really. I'm too busy to date."

Sammie cocks her eyebrow, and Ashleigh gives me a questioning look. "Seriously?" I glare at Sammie. She better keep her mouth shut. I trust Ashleigh, but can't risk her saying something to Cole. I can't live with myself if their friendship is ruined because of me.

"I don't believe you," Ashleigh says.

I give a slight shrug. "Believe what you will. I don't know what to tell you."

"Okay," she says, her tone sad and disappointed.

I get up and hug her. "Honestly, there's no love interest in my near future. I'm holding out for an epic love story like yours."

"I don't know if I'd say epic. It was hard. But so worth it. Love is worth the struggle, I promise."

"I don't know. It shouldn't come at a price."

"Everything worthy comes at a price. And to prove my point, let's go shopping! I love your style. I might even want to try on a wedding dress or two." She gives me a wink.

I squeal like a sixteen-year-old at a boy band concert. "Really? I know this adorable boutique. Does this mean you've set a date?"

"No, but we're thinking about next fall, after the season, of course. But I want to wait and coordinate with Chance's schedule, too. I can't imagine him not being there. He's like another brother to me. You know, like Matt is to you?" She arches her eyebrow at me.

Nope, not cracking. Especially after the door slammed. I made a fool of myself and haven't spoken to him for two days. He sent a text asking if I needed him to do any assistant duties. I said no and haven't heard from him since. I'm sure he'll be at dinner tonight, but I'll deal with that later.

"Well, girls, let's hit King Street." I hold up Cole's credit card. "We have some shopping to do."