Bound by Duty

Chapter Eight

I circled our apartment for the fifteenth time, pacing the length of the living room and hallway, past the framed photos and cute decor we'd collected over the past few months. My mind was going in so many different directions, I just needed Bethany to get home already — before I changed my mind, yet again. Finally, I heard the entry door to the complex slam shut and her quick steps up the flight of stairs. I laughed a little at the shock on her face as I wrenched the door open. She stood on the other side wearing a look of surprise with her keys held up toward where the lock should have been.

I grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her in for a hug. This time, she did laugh and asked into my shoulder, "What's gotten into you, chica?" I pulled away and couldn't stop my grin. "I need your help, B. I've been an idiot. You were right. I do want to date Aidan. I like him. I really like him. You've got to help me get him back."

That Cheshire smile was back as her eyes sparkled with mischief and she rubbed her palms together. "You've come to the right place, sugar. No one meddles in love lives better than a southern girl," she said, her accent heavily exaggerated. We couldn't stop the fit of laughter that brought on and collapsed onto opposite ends of the couch to make our plan.

I tugged at the bottom of my deep purple dress, already feeling uncomfortable with how short and fitted it was. Bethany came up behind me, smacking my hand. "Stop that now. You'll mess up my masterpiece!"

I was standing in front of the mirror, debating on the right shoes for my outfit, and honestly couldn't believe the miracle B had pulled off. She was still twirling and twisting the curls she'd spent an hour on, spraying hair spray here and there. As I continued to switch from one foot to the other, trying to make a decision, she finally let out a deeply exaggerated sigh and said, "The black ones. Good gravy, Amelia, if he's looking at your shoes I've failed at life." I couldn't help but laugh, yet it was cut short as panic set in.

"Are you sure this is a good plan, B? I mean, did you tell Micah what we're doing? Does he understand that we're just going to crash their man date?" She gave me a sideways glance and hid behind my hair.

"Ohmygod! You didn't tell him! B! This was your plan. I can't do this. This is stupid. He's going to think I'm an idiot." I kicked out my leg, effectively tossing the silver shoe I wasn't wearing across the room and feeling a measure of satisfaction at the sound of it smacking against my closet door. Only, now I had on one three-inch heel and not the other, so as I tried to glare at my best friend for being a deviant little coward, I looked and felt ridiculous. She stifled a laugh at my glare mixed with my odd posture, so I grabbed an old stuffed animal off the bed and chucked it at her head.

"I know. I know!" Bethany was laughing as she dodged the bear and held her hands up in surrender. "I know, girl. But, it's all part of the plan! I've been on him for days about how he was such a jerk to Aidan and Aidan doesn't seem to have many friends, so I subtly suggested they should check out Cole's gym." She shrugged, looking a little sheepish. "They're both into training, right? And then I might have also subtly suggested they get some food."

"B? Subtle? You're about as subtle as a shovel to the forehead." She shrugged again and smirked, giving me a wink. "Girl, I get things done. Now, put your damn shoe on and let's go."

***

As we pulled up to the restaurant where Micah told Bethany they'd be eating, she and I were still debating the intelligence of sending them to Cole's gym.

"B, you understand that my brother is going to freak out if he figures out I'm dating Aidan, right?" I groaned at the thought. "I've never dated anyone. You know how protective he is. You couldn't have sent them anywhere else?"