“Long time no see,” I said, trying to sound
breezy.
Tom blinked, his expression unreadable. Then
he sneered, “Ashley, you haven’t changed a
bit. Still unambitious as ever.”
Sarah shot me a look that could curdle milk.
She squeezed Tom’s arm, all sweetness and
light, like she had to remind everyone who he
belonged to.
You can’t say that about our old
Г
classmate! She’s probably doing the best she
can, we shouldn’t rub it in her face that you
turned out to be rich!”
She sized me up, her smile sharp.
“But seriously, Ashley, what are you wearing?
A little dated, right? You’re not getting any
younger. A woman needs to take care of
herself, otherwise she’ll never find a husband.
No guy wants a slob!”
“Need to borrow some makeup?”
The room erupted in laughter.
Sarah was decked out in designer everything,
makeup perfectly contoured, hair styled to
perfection
every inch the rich girl.
く
And I was coming off a 24–hour shift, looking
like I’d been dragged through a hedge
backwards.
I was rocking some comfy sweats I grabbed
at Target, and that just didn’t compare.
“No, thanks,” I said. “I’m good.” I went to the
buffet table, loaded up a plate. I had earned
myself a solid meal.
As I ate, Tom sauntered over and slapped a
check for ten grand right in front of me.
“This is…a little something to help you out,
from one friend to another,” he said. “Get
yourself a decent job, buy some new clothes,
learn to love yourself.”
“Ashley, what’s done is done. Don’t get stuck
く
“If it wasn’t for you…” He trailed off, then
shook his head. “Never mind. The point is,
don’t let me leaving mess up your life. Okay?”
I looked up, puzzled.
What the heck did I do last time to make him
jump ship so fast?
We were sweethearts.
He had his music dreams, I wanted to be a
doctor – both expensive hobbies.
Someone had to give.
I, like an idiot, gave up my med school spot
and got a job.
My paycheck would fuel the dream
He’d fail, get discouraged, mope around.
And I’d pat him on the head, telling him it
would all be okay.
I thought he knew I loved him.
Then, one day, he asked for a new guitar, and
I told him we couldn’t afford it.
