"Well, honey. You gave him your home address. You consider this meeting a date, there's nothing much I can do for you. Just meet him, find out what he's like now. And I'll be over here, praying that he's an asshole and you'll be done with him. Because, eleven years to be in a relationship that doesn't exist is a long time."
"I know. I've been living it everyday." Mandy pulled on her favorite pants, the ones that made her look like she had a small-smaller anyway, ass and an actual waist. It was Kip that taught her how to actually dress like she had a beautiful body. She needed to show him she hadn't lost that.
"Listen to me. This is the last time I say this to you. I've said it a hundred times. A thousand, a million. Too many. Got it?"
"Yes. Okay, tell me again."
They repeated the words together. "Stop telling yourself you sent him away. He left just as much as you told him to go. You cannot regret this decision anymore. I won't let you beat yourself up. Stop it, stop it, stop it."
Mandy sighed into the phone. And Sophia said, "Now go hit yourself with a pillow, because that's what I do right now if I were there. Kiss Colton for me too."
"Kiss your babies for me too. And tell Chuck I love him."
"He loves you too. I love you too. Which is why I kick your ass."
"I know. I love you." The door bell rang. "Fuck he's here and I'm not dressed."
"Good luck," Sophia said and hung up.
Mandy ran for the door. "I'm sorry I just got in," she said, before she pulled up short. She looked at him. Kip Turner was on her doorstep. And all the years melted away. She wanted to fall into his arms and kiss him, like he had never left. Like she had never told him to go away.
"Hi," he said. He had the same look in his eyes and they moved over her. Like he wanted to hold her again. Like he was hoping she missed him.
God she missed him. He hadn't only been her lover. They had been best friends. She bit on her tongue to keep herself from confessing that along with a number of other stupid romantic thoughts running through her head.
"Hi," she said, letting a slow, stupid smile cross her face.
"So you just got in. Sorry." Why was he apologizing?