I sat awkwardly between the two women. One, the very gorgeous redhead was sitting next to me, the very annoyed blond in front. 

" So... This is Mandy."

" Amanda." she corrected, glaring at me, before turning and smiling to Rider " I was his childhood bestie."

"Was?"

Rylie turned towards me.

" Was?" she repeated 

" I guess she's mad at me right now and wants me to suffer in front of you."

" You guess?" Mandy irrupted, her eyes throwing darts " You freaking guess? You left me for her when I needed you!"

" I didn't know and I was busy! It's not because of Riley!"

" For Gollum's sake..."

" Riley, sweetie, I'm sorry we had to meet like this. I'm leaving now, cause I am not eating a meal with him right now."

Mandy got up and stormed out of the café. 

" Well that went well."

Riley snickered. 

" What the heck did you do to her and why would you agree to eating out the three of us?"

" I kind of spent all my time with you when she was in trial against her mother— for my defense I didn't know."

" You didn't contact her for two months?"

" Something like that."

" Cute idiot douchebag..."

" I told her I was sorry, but she wasn't happy."

" Wonder why."

I awkwardly itched my head. 

" I'm sorry. I'm really bad at the whole social stuff."

" I know you are. Just... She's your best friend, right? So please don't forget her just because I exist."

" I know. I just... I really am busy."

" I know."

Riley grabbed the milkshake that had been waiting awkwardly on the table. 

" Look. I got a call before coming. My book is on a list that'll make it published in like a month or two, which is huge. And they're gonna do massive promo free of charge. They must've really liked it!"

Again,  totally not because I pulled strings. 

" That's great Babe!"

Riley smiled. 

" I know. I'm really excited, but I can't help but be a little scared. I mean... What if they back out? What if my book ain't good enough at the end of the day? What if they do massive promo and nobody buys it? Reads it? I mean I worked real hard on it, babe. I don't want it to flop, ya know."

" It won't flop. it's beautifully written and damn the story's good."

" You're just saying that cause you're my boyfriend and you want me to be happy."

" I'm saying that cause I truly believe it."

She took my hand and put the milkshake back down. She'd finished it.

" You're too cute sometimes, JJ. It's funny cause it really contrast on the darkness inside."

" What can I say? I have layers."