We Met Like This

by Kasie West

“You’re really not going to forgive him?” I plopped the popcorn bowl on the table and sat on the floor. “Even if I wanted to hear him out, Sloane, it’s complicated. Audrey and I may be fighting but I don’t want to hurt her.” “Why would this hurt her so bad? I’m having a hard time understanding.” “Because…” I tried to think of reasons to fill in after that word but was coming up blank. “I guess because he was hers at some point in the past.” Her eyebrows popped up as if to say exactly. “For six months,” I said. “Eight years ago.” “That was a tiny amount of time in the grand scheme of things.” “And yet she still thinks she has some sort of claim on him.” “But…” she said, seeming to know there was more. “But I’ve known Oliver for over three years. She can’t hold him hostage over a six-month relationship. He’s mine to call dibs on, not hers.” “Damn straight he is.” “I guess I need to talk to her. Tell her how I feel. And then give Oliver the chance to explain himself.” “How do you feel?” she asked. I picked up a stray kernel of popcorn from beneath the coffee table and turned it slowly in my fingers before depositing it into the bowl. Then I met her expectant stare. “I love him.” She smiled and let out a small squeal. “But love doesn’t always conquer all,” I said. She rolled her eyes. “You can no longer rep romance.” “In romance books, everything works out. In real life, I’m not so sure.”