10

"I promise you, Zane is not going to be there. I overheard Yasmin saying that Milan and Zane are going to Pennsylvania."

I narrow my eyes at Angelica and tried to detect if she was making it up or telling the truth. "You aren't making something up just so I accompany you to brunch right?"

It has been three days since I saw Zane for the last time outside the restaurant. I had promised myself that I would keep my distance from him. I would only make conversation with him when it was highly necessary. 

But if my friends keep inviting me to places where I know he will be present, it would be impossible to keep this promise. 

Angelica bit her bottom lip as she avoided eye contact with me. 

I knew it. 

After a minute of silence she spoke up again; "Well I didn't exactly heard that they are going to Pennsylvania. But I heard snippets that they would not be there during brunch."

I sighed deeply and stood up from my bed. "I don't see why my brother would go out of town as it's his wedding soon, but...fine I will go to brunch with you. Give me a second to change into something more presentable."

I was still in my pink unicorn onesie even though it was already past ten pm. Being here in New York, without the constant amount of work looming over my head, felt peaceful. I could sleep in till noon, something I haven't done in ages. 

Angelica broke into a wide grin. "Good! I will see you downstairs."

I headed towards the bathroom to shower and brush my teeth. I tied my hair into a messy bun and wore a pastel-colored jumpsuit that I bought during the shopping trip with Angelica.

As much as I love makeup, I also love leaving my face bare. These were one of those days I couldn't bother to put a single drop of foundation on my face. Too lazy and on top of that I was already late too. 

Instead, I just applied some chapstick and I was good to go.

When I came downstairs Alex and Angelica were already waiting for me. Angelica gave me a once-over and smiled at me in approval. She always did that, like I have bad taste in fashion.

 Me? Amari Vasilios? A bad taste in fashion? Never.

"Beautiful." She said and grabbed her clutch on the coffee table. "Let's go."

"Where's Yasmin?" I asked as we walked outside where Alex's car was parked. A black Mercedes Benz.

"Yasmin already went with Ava," Angelica said as she stepped into the car.

Ava was Yasmin's best friend and also the maid of honor. A very beautiful girl with the most down-to-earth personality who's also hopelessly crushing on Ivan Preston, the heartbreaker.

Ivan, on the other hand, can't take a hint.

"Ava..Ava..." Alex mumbled as he drove out of the driveway of my parent's mansion. "Is that Ivan's girl?"

"No, because that dickhead can't take a hint," Angelica said frustrated as she fumbled with the seatbelt.

"What do you mean he can't take a hint. The feeling is mutual."

I stared at Alex agape. "What did you just say?"

"The feeling is mutual. Ivan has been talking non stop about her. I think that guy is whipped." He snickered as he made a sharp left.

"Alex!" I yelled as I almost hit my head on the window. "Why am I still accepting your offers to drive me around when this isn't the first time you tried to kill me?"

Alex chuckled. "Cause you love me. Plain and simple."

"Tell him to actually show his feelings!" Angelica screamed, ignoring that her boyfriend almost sent us straight to heaven. "He acts so cold towards her. Poor girl thinks that he is not interested."

"Geez baby, chill out. I will pass the message to him." Alex said looking at Angelica with a small smile. "Everything for you."

He then looked at me through the rear view mirror. "What about you? Should I pass a message along to Zane?"

My mouth fell wide open and before I knew it my hand slapped the back of his big head.

"Ouch." Alex rubbed the spot where I hit him and turned around to glare at me. "What was that for?"

"Watch the road, dumbass. And no, thank you for the offer."

I heard him snicker behind the wheel. "It will always stand open for you. Just give me a call. You know I hate to see you two bickering right?"

I rolled my eyes and stayed silent.

I hate it too.

I hate fighting with him.

I hate to pretend that I hate him when I actually want to be close to him.

I want to hear his laughter, stupid jokes, mischievous plans, and big goals he had set for himself.

Did he accomplish them? Did he face any setbacks? What did he do?

I want my best friend back.

But can I go through the same pain I went through five years ago?

Can I?

Can I see him with another girl?

Can I see him choosing me over another girl?

I cannot.

I fell in love with him.

And that was not part of the plan.

"The place is so crowded. Oh goodness. Will you manage to find a parking spot?" Angelica's voice brought me back to reality.

"I hope so. I will drop you two off here so you don't have to walk so far in those Louboutins."

"This is Versace! I don't even like Louboutins. When are you ever going to get that right?" Angelica huffed as she opened the car door.

"Sorry babe. But I'm pretty sure it was  Louboutins last week."

"That was last week, darling. I'm a totally different person now."

Angelica is so extra. Like mother, like daughter.

"Suree." Alex chuckled. "See you guys in a minute."

He drove away and Angelica and I walked towards the terrace where Yasmin and a couple of other girls were sitting.

Yasmin spotted us and immediately stood up to greet us. "Hey girls. I almost thought that you guys couldn't make it."

"Took a little longer to convince this person here to come along." Angelica pointed at me as she hugged Yasmin.

Yasmin laughed and looked at me. "I was almost positive you wouldn't show up since you were still asleep when I left the house."

I chuckled. "Well, a certain someone can be very persuasive."

I sat down next to Angelica. "Is this a girls-only brunch?" I asked as I looked around the table. There were only girls sitting around the table in their colorful summer dresses.

Ava shook her head and blushed. She was too cute. "The boys are inside getting us food."

"B-boys?" I sputtered, aware that she used the plural form instead of singular.

"Yeah, Ivan, Milan, and...oh here they come." Ava looked behind me and a big smile appeared on her face.

I turned around and my heart immediately made a somersault.

Dressed in a white button-up tee and blue denim jeans, Zane entered the terrace with a tray of food in his hands.

When he saw me his eyes immediately lit up. "I brought you your favorite cake!" He grinned widely as he placed the red velvet cake in front of me.

I stared at it in silence. I was shocked that he still remembered that I was a sucker for cake. Red velvet especially.

"Thank you," I mumbled quietly. I looked up and Axel, who just walked up the terrace and most likely saw everything happen, winked at me.

I turned to my left to look at Angelica who just shrugged her shoulders. She leaned in and whispered in my ear: "I told you I only heard snippets."

I huffed. "Yeah right," I whispered back, before returning my attention back to Milan and Yasmin.

"I'm so glad you all could make it," Yasmin said, smiling. "While we're having brunch we will go over some wedding details and the bachelor and bachelorette party."

"Have you already decided where the bachelorette party is going to be held?" Angelica asked curious.

Yasmin gave her a mysterious smile. "Yes, I have already decided that. But it will be a surprise for all of you."

Ava and Angelica both groaned in frustration, earning a chuckle from the guys and Yasmin.

Zane sat down next to me on the empty chair. "I ordered avocado toast. Do you want that or fries?"

"Avocado toast sounds good. Is there apple juice?" I asked as I only saw orange juice on the table.

"No, we didn't order that because your brother was positive you wouldn't show up. Anyways... I will get you some."

"No, Zane it's--," I couldn't finish my sentence, because he was already on his way inside.

Angelica poked me on the side. "Prince charming." She mouthed before taking a bite of her cheeseburger.

"Shut up," I whispered as my eyes fell on the couple in front of me.

I watched how Ivan was feeding Ava a little of his chicken tender.

It reminded me of that time when Zane and I went to a Thai restaurant and he forced chicken curry down my throat.

"Apple juice."

I blinked and my attention shifted to Zane. That was fast. "Thank you." I smiled as I took the glass with apple juice from him. 

Brunch went really well. We talked about the details of the wedding and I already feel so exhausted by only thinking about the big day. And it wasn't even mine!

Zane was quiet most of the time. He occasionally voiced his opinion on something, but that was basically it. He tried to make conversation with me through Axel or Angelica, but I completely ignored him. 

It was painful, but it's for the better.

"I can't believe you gave him the silent treatment!" Angelica burst into my room, making my heart almost jump out of my chest. 

"Jesus girl. Can you knock first?!" I screeched as I hurriedly put on a pair of shorts. I just stepped out of the shower when Angelica decided to burst into my room    

"I can't believe it!" She continued yelling, slamming the door close behind her. "Give him a chance, for god sake!"

I massaged my temples and plopped down on my bed. "Don't even try. It took me forever to get over him and he wasn't even my boyfriend."

"And you are still not over him. Who are you trying to fool? Come on Amari, everyone makes mistakes."

"And some are unforgivable. Zane hurt me once and he will do it again. I fell in love with him. And I think you already know that. But the feeling is just not mutual."

"And how do you know?" Angelica asked sitting down next to me. "Did you ask him? He is a changed man."

"Yeah right."

"Come on, Amari." Angelica sighed. "His parents are having an auction tonight. Your parents are going. I think you should go to."

"Why should I go?"

Angelica pulled a red envelope out of her purse. "Because he invited you. As his plus one."