"So he doesn't know how you feel?" Sophia asked as she pushed some of her dark hair behind her ear.
I shook my head.
"You have to tell him, Josie," Emmie said as Sophia nodded.
I looked to Whit. What did she have to say to all of this?
"What if the situation were reversed? What if you were marrying someone and Easton was in love with you? Wouldn't you want to know?" Whit asked.
"That's not the same," I argued. "I'm in love with him."
"And he could be in love with you," Whit said. "You'll never know unless you tell him."
"Exactly," Sophia agreed.
But I couldn't. I had been the one to hear what Easton had said. He loved Priscilla as much as he'd ever loved anyone. He had said that to me. That meant he couldn't have forgotten me in that equation.
"Are you ready to give up? Just like that?" Emmie asked softly.
That shook something in me. Was I ready to give up? I had thought so until the words were actually said. I didn't give up. I'd never given up on anything. Why would I start now, with the biggest thing? Maybe Easton didn't love me the way I loved him yet. But he could grow to. And if he did, wouldn't he have to choose me?
"I don't know," I said honestly as my mind warred with itself.
"Maybe a grand gesture was the wrong idea," Whit said thoughtfully.
Maybe? I was pretty sure that venture had crashed and failed.
"It might’ve worked if the grand gesture had actually happened," Sophia said as she looked at me pointedly.
"I did give him the trip," I said, trying to defend myself.
"What?" came three replies in unison.
"He found the tickets."
Three pairs of wide eyes stared at me until Sophia finally opened her mouth.
"So you guys are still going on the trip?" Sophia asked, and I swore I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes.
I nodded.
"We can use that," Sophia said with a smirk, and Emmie shot me her grin that kind of scared me.
"But no new grand gestures," Whit added, and the other two women nodded. I could also agree with that one.
"Just small, simple ways to show Easton you're perfect for him," Emmie said.
"To remind him he's in love with you," Sophia said loudly.
I shook my head. Those words made me a little less sure of this plan. I wouldn't just be reminding Easton; I'd have to help Easton start growing a romantic love for me. Because love wasn't the kind of thing people needed to be reminded of. Love had smacked me in the face and never let me go. I couldn't forget that.
"I don't know," I began, suddenly feeling shaky in my knees. I'd always thought of myself as brave, but this battle for Easton's heart was the hardest thing I'd ever done. Could I still win him over? Have him see me as an option and love me for real?
"He loves you, Jos." How could Sophia be so sure of something I was just as unsure of? "Besides, men forget everything," she said.
"It's a proven fact," Emmie added as she crossed her slender arms over her ample chest.
"Birthdays, anniversaries, when to take out the trash …" Sophia started.
"Your last name, their job hours, how to hit inside of the toilet seat," Emmie added.
"Who are these men and why are you two hanging out with them?" I asked, and the group broke into laughter.
"Oh, Josie. This is how it is with all men. That's why they need us," Emmie drawled, and Sophia nodded. Even Whit seemed to agree.
I was glad they all agreed, but they didn't have the biggest fact. I knew I had to tell the girls everything or they'd never stop pushing.
"But he doesn't love me. I asked him if he loved Priscilla and he said he did. As much as he'd ever loved anyone. Guys, I was standing right there. I am anyone." I said the words that threatened to restart the tears I'd been working so hard to swallow.
"He didn't mean that," Sophia said with a wave of her hand.
"How do you know?" I asked. How could she wave away something that had hit me so hard?
"I've seen the way he looks at you. He loves you," Sophia said matter-of-factly, and I couldn't believe her calm considering it felt like my entire life hung in the balance. Did Easton love me? How did he look at me? No. I knew better.
"As a best friend," I reiterated.
"And that can grow." Emmie didn't try to argue but instead steered me in a better direction.
That was exactly what I'd been hoping for. And to hear it from another person, that it could possibly happen, lit a fire in me to fight some more. I wasn't ready to let this go. To let Easton go. Sure, the engagement had been a shock, but I'd always known it probably wasn't the case that Easton loved me as much as I loved him. Sure, hearing the words out loud had been a shot to my pride and my heart, but I should’ve expected it. However, when the Priscilla obstacle had been thrown in my way, I'd lost track of my goal. Easton had almost kissed me. That was a good place to start.
"Do you really think so?" I asked, but I focused my attention on Whit. I needed her practicality.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Emmie and Sophia nodding. But it wasn't until Whit joined them that I felt my heart lift for the first time since my climb with Easton the day before.
"You're going to win Easton over!" Emmie proclaimed as both of her fists shot into the air.
"Am I?" I still wasn't completely sure, but I was willing to listen.
"Yup. Small and simple reminders. He'll never know what hit ‘im," Sophia said. This time it was her grin that scared me.
"Like what?" I asked, still feeling completely lost. I wanted to earn Easton's love. I did. I couldn't give up so easily; the girls were right. But how was I supposed to do this?
"Roommates make the best forever mates," Whit said with a twinkle in her eye. That wasn't a bad mantra. And if Whit was on board, so was I.
"Roommates make the best forever mates," Emmie said slowly. "I love it."
"And I know just how to start proving that. You could make a dinner, wear a cute outfit, make him see you as more than just his best friend," Sophia said as she nodded along to her idea.
"Yes!" Emmie agreed.
"He'll forget all about Priscilla in no time," Sophia added.
Whit shrugged. "It's worth a shot, right?" she asked, and it was her honesty that finally got me on board.
There was a sudden influx of students into the athletic training room, and my friends had to back out before they were overrun by sweaty high school athletes who needed ice and my attention before they could go home for the day.
"Remember, roommates make the best forever mates," Sophia called out as the women walked away.
Roommates make the best forever mates. I mulled over the idea as I finished up for the day. What did I have to lose?
Chapter Nine
Roommates make the best forever mates. The line woke me out of my sleep the next morning, and I knew I had to give this all I had. If I didn't, all that I'd be left with would be regret.
Because there were no games or big events that day, I didn't feel bad asking one of the PE teachers to cover for me in the training room. I blocked out the whole day for this new plan. If I was going to do this whole roommates make the best forever mates thing, I was going to do it right.