Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Eight

Verde brought out the last plate and laid it down on the table outside on the terrace, then sat down.

'So what have you guys been up to then?' he asked dishing out some food. 'I feel like I haven't seen you in forever.'

'Nothing has really happened,' Esme replied. 'I've mainly been hanging out with Taylor and his friends a lot.'

'So you like them now?'

'I've given them a chance,' Esme replied. 'They're not so bad. I guess it helps that Lauren's been coming out with me too. They really love her.'

'So do you think they'll stop kissing you?' Ecie laughed.

'I should think so,' Esme laughed. 'I'm lucky that Lauren is so pretty and fun loving. They really can't get enough of her.'

'Well that's something I suppose,' Verde said. 'So they all get on really well.'

'Oh yeah,' Esme laughed. 'The first night we all went out together, Lauren hooked up with Ethan.'

'No,' Ecie said shocked. 'Did they really?'

Esme nodded. 'They did.'

'No way,' Ecie said. 'I don't believe it.'

'Did they hook up, hook up, or did they just hook up?' Verde asked.

'They just hooked up,' Esme replied. 'But I mean; that's still something. I had no idea Lauren was like that at all. It's like she's her true self around the guys. It's crazy.'

'So is she with Ethan now?' Ecie asked.

'I don't think so,' Esme replied. 'I don't think she'd want to be with a guy like him.'

Verde laughed. 'That's so nice Es.'

'Yeah,' Ecie laughed. 'I thought you were giving them a chance.'

'I am,' Esme said. 'But you know what I mean.'

'What have you been doing Verd?'

'I've been working,' Verde replied. 'There is so much written work that I've got to catch up on and then there's the bar as well.'

Esme and Ecie nodded. 'All work and no play.'

'Kind of,' Verde nodded. 'But Ed and I have also been hanging out and stuff.'

'That's good,' Ecie replied. 'Are you guys getting back together?'

'No,' Verde shook his head. 'I think we're past being a couple now. We know it's never going to work between us.'

'But you're so good together,' Esme said. 'Why wouldn't you give it another more go?'

'We've already been through everything so many times,' Verde sighed. 'Our relationship is really weird. Anyway, he's got a new boyfriend.'

'Huh?'

'Yeah,' Verde nodded. 'They're really good together, at least they're better than me and Ed was. I'm happy for them.'

'Are you sure?' Esme asked looking at Verde sympathetically.

'Yeah,' Verde nodded. 'I'm really happy for them. It means that I get to concentrate on myself for once. I'm tired of always looking out for someone.'

'So who do you have your eye on?' Ecie asked.

'No one,' Verde replied. 'I'm fine being single at the moment.'

Ecie looked at Verde and nodded. 'Okay then, if you're sure.'

'I am sure,' Verde said. 'I promise.'