Accidental Knight: A Marriage Mistake Romance(16)

I’m trying to laugh, but it’s something she’s openly said on a few occasions.

“Oh yeah, right-o. Bet it was one fucked up delivery to have left her needing a nose job.”

Now, I laugh. Exhibit C why Mom never liked Alexa. She calls it as she sees it without holding any punches, and it’s why I love having her in my life. “Come on, you know I was referring to the tummy tuck and the boob job.”

“Come again? Um, I kinda lost track figuring out which part of her hasn’t been replaced,” Alexa snickers.

She’s too right, sadly.

Half the reason we’d moved from the West Coast to out east and back again when I was little was because Mom wanted to chase the very best in cutting edge plastic surgery.

“I miss you, Lexa,” I say, wiping a tear off my cheek. At least this one’s just from laughing myself sore.

“Miss you, too.” Her voice softens. “Sooo, how long will you be gone? Got a lot to take care of? I mean, inheriting a fortune probably has a lot of legalese, I guess, but I hope you won’t be stuck there forever.”

A weight lands on my shoulders. I thought I’d told her the hardest parts of today, but the six-month stay here? How do I even begin?

“Well...I don’t even know how much there is to take care of. The lawyer gave me a quick outline after he read the will, but honestly, I can’t even tell you what he said. I was so zoned out.”

“Fair. It has to be overwhelming. I hope he understands that.”

I nod, even though I know she can’t see me. “He does. He’s a nice guy. Said he’ll help me with everything. The will was very specific. Gramps laid out dang near everything. I’ll meet with his guy again in a few days, after my parents leave and the drama calms down.” I glance around the room. “Alexa, I have to be honest – I have no earthly idea when I’ll head back to California. The will, it’s kinda weird. You remember my stories about Gramps? He was amazing, but a little eccentric sometimes. It basically says I have to stay put at the ranch for six months.”

“Six months? Really?” Her voice shifts, but it isn’t angry. More like concerned. Sad.

A flash of relief fills me. “Don’t worry. I’ll send you every penny I owe for my half of the rent.”

I’ll send her a little extra, if I’m being honest, but I’m not going to say it on the phone. I know the second I do, she’ll refuse it.

“Holy hell, six months. Well, as long as you’re happy, Bella babe,” she tells me, slipping back into her usual chill tone.

“I’m...happier than you’d think. It’s been years since I was able to get back here to this little town. I love this place, honestly. Always will.”

“I know, but damn I’m going to miss you. You’d better fly out and visit, first chance you get.”

“You know I will.” My heart sinks in my chest.

I’m going to miss her something fierce. Not wanting the tears to hit again, I say, “Like I said, I’ll still pay my half of the rent and monthly bills. You’re totally covered and –”

“Stop it! That’s not why I’ll miss your face and you know it.”

She’s quiet for a moment. So am I.

Emotions are hard for us, okay? The sticky ones with each other, I mean. If it’s anyone else mucking up our lives, or laughs or drinks or talking about guy crushes, we’re inseparable.

But us? We’ve rarely had to confront the future of our friendship quite like this.

“You’re my best friend,” Alexa tells me. “I’ve seen you practically every day for the last six years. You’re the Monica to my Rachel. I ain’t going anywhere, and neither are you, lady.”

That’s how she’s always described us, and it fits.

From day one, her yin and my yang made us compatible. The years that followed have brought us as close as sisters. With completely different parents, of course.

Hers are amazing. Mine, well, not so much.

Six months of no Lexa is going to suck royally. “Maybe you can fly out here to small town America. Just a long weekend or something.”

“Maybe. I’ll have to see how it goes with my job. I don’t have any vacation time built up yet.”

Don’t I know it. She’d just landed her dream job about four months ago, being a multi-platform editor for a major broadcasting company, working on everything from sitcoms to daily news shows.

“No worries. One of us is getting on a plane, one way or another. I’ll be in California for Fall, no doubt about it.”

“That’d be awesome! Until then, you’d better stay in touch.”

“Every week, Lexa. I’ll keep you updated on everything.”

“I know you will, because I’ll be calling.”

We both laugh. I’m seriously grateful to have such an amazing friend.

“In the meantime, is there anything you need? Anything I can send? Have shipped to you?”

“I’ve got the essentials, but thanks.”

“Just let me know when you do. Clothes. Shoes. Civilization.”

I laugh again. “Hey, come on. It’s not like this place is Antarctica, or something. Even if the winters are harsh.”

Honestly, she’s the one with a closet overflowing with the latest fashions. Despite my mother, I’ve never been into designer labels. “I can buy anything I’ll need here. Dallas is a small town, but there’s—”