The Choice by Kate Benson Page A

pants,” I tease, making him bark out a laugh. “I wanted you to think I was fun.”
    “Well, I know you don’t like surprises anymore and I still think you’re fun,” he smiles.
    “That’s just because I got in your pants and you’re a liar like me,” I say, causing us both to laugh.
    “I’m not lying, Baby.”
    “Maybe not, but you’re hiding something and I’m gonna find out what.”
    “Okay, my sexy Sherlock,” he says chuckling, kissing me on the head as the waiter makes his way over to our table with our food. “Sleuth away, I got nothin’ to hide.”
    “Whatever,” I say, playfully smacking him. “ Get your ass over there, you sneaky bastard, my ribs are here.”
    After dinner, Chase and I head to the bar and meet with the others. Ana’s just finishing up when we walk in and runs around to hug me before making our drinks for us.
    Once she joins us, we catch up and make plans to spend the following weekend at the beach with them. We’ve been talking for about an hour when a familiar face stops at the end of our table.
    “Hey!” Heather shouts over the noise. Smiling and waving back at her, I introduce her to Ana and Drake, giggling when her eyes refuse to meet Chase’s. She’s dressed up for a night out, but she’s looking a little down. She’s wearing tight jeans with a low cut, hot pink tank top that matches her new highlights and vibrant makeup.
    “Do you want to sit with us or are you already here with people?”
    “No,” she starts with disappointment staining her face. “I live nearby and Jamie was supposed to meet me here but our plans changed. I was ready though so I thought I’d come over and grab a beer, try to mingle with the locals and all that shit.”
    “Who’s Jamie?” Chase asks.
    “New manager at work,” I explain quietly and he nods, turning back to face her. “Well, sit with us then. We’re just hanging out.”
    “Okay,” she agrees, squeezing in next to Ana.
    We slip into comfortable conversation before long and I’m happy to see that Heather is getting along well with everyone.
    Once the alcohol hits Ana and me , we slip into our normal routine of cracking each other up and getting loud while Heather and the guys laugh at our antics. I’m admiring the tattoos that cover Heather’s arms when Ana interrupts.
    “So what’s the deal, Soph? What’s the big send off?” she asks with a smirk.
    “What do you mean?” I ask.
    “I mean, tonight’s my last night in Rockport and you’re my fuckin’ BFF! My sista from another mista,” she laughs, causing me to spit my drink. “What super cool thing are you gonna do to honor the awesomeness that is me?”
    “I thought we were already doing it?” I say, laughing harder when she gasps dramatically.  “Well, what do you want from me? You’re moving an hour away! I’ll see you in a week! Do you want me to build you a freakin’ float or something?” The others let out a loud belly laugh and she flips them all off, facing me again.
    “You’re not sad, Soph?” she asks and it’s then that I realize I’ve hurt her feelings. Grabbing her hand, I squeeze it tightly.
    “Of course I’m sad. I’m sorry,” I say seriously.
    “You are not! You were just making fun of me, you whorebag!”
    “Ana, I am sad. Ask Chase, I’ve been a mess for days,” I offer and he nods.
    “She is sad,” he agrees, rubbing my back sweetly. Considering this, Ana looks down at our hands and then meets my eyes again.
    “How sad?” she says quietly.
    “I’m pretty fuckin’ sad, Ana,” I say, causing the others to chuckle. “I didn’t know you wanted to do anything else or I would have planned something. I’m sorry, Honey.”
    “It’s okay,” she says quietly. Although I can see she’s trying to hide it, she’s upset and feels let down.
    “God, they have some real losers singing tonight,” Heather says quietly and I smile to myself.
    “Yeah,” Ana says as she kicks me playfully under the table. “Too bad