Forever. Karen Hopkins Ann

glanced at Hunter’s look of shock and Summer’s narrowed eyes. I was screwed no matter what I said.

      “So, I guess things didn’t go so well with your meeting?” The words tumbled out of my mouth without much thought. I really just wanted to get back to my bowl of ice cream and the episode of Swamp People, but it was unlikely that would be happening anytime soon the way Summer was glaring at me.

      “Can you ever just keep your mouth shut?” Summer growled.

      Rose turned and ran from the room. Summer paused long enough to shake her head at me and mutter something that was mostly unintelligible, except for the word idiot, before pursuing Rose. Their stomping feet could be heard going up the stairs before a door slammed shut.

      “That didn’t go well, did it?” Hunter asked quietly.

      I thought for a second and said, “Actually, it could have been much worse.”

      “The night isn’t over yet,” he said as he walked past the couch toward the stairs.

      I leaped up and followed him.

      “Where are you going?”

      Without slowing to glance my way, he replied, “I’m going to talk to Rose.”

      “Are you nuts?”

      “No, I’m perfectly sane, just in love.”

      I grabbed Hunter’s shoulder as he began climbing the stairs, stopping him.

      “You couldn’t possibly fall in love so quickly,” I argued.

      “Some people do. It might not be your thing, but give me a break here.”

      “Trust me, I am. You don’t want to go up there.”

      “Just try and stop me.”

      Hunter’s eyes held a cold glint that I hadn’t seen before. The dude was dead serious. I lifted my hands in the air and backed down the step.

      “I warned you.”

      I returned to the couch but purposely left the door open. Hunter was still my friend, after all. I was expecting to have to rescue his ass in a few minutes, anyway.

      9

      Rose

      “What is he doing here?” I demanded of Summer, knowing full well that she was as clueless as me.

      “Maybe he came by to see Sam. They are friends and all,” Summer suggested as she flopped onto my bed.

      I shook my head. “No, there’s more to it than that. Hunter won’t quit. He won’t accept that I’m with Noah again.”

      “How do you feel about that?” Summer asked quietly.

      I took a deep breath and sighed. “It doesn’t really matter now, does it? I’m pregnant and I have to marry Noah.”

      Summer sprang off the bed and grabbed my arms. “Whoa, you have options. Life isn’t over because you’re pregnant.”

      I rolled my eyes and sat down on the bed.

      “You never did tell me how Noah reacted,” Summer said as she joined me. She placed her arm around my shoulder.

      Staring at the ugly wallpaper adorning my walls, I quickly thought about what I should say. Even though she hadn’t come right out with it, I knew Summer was already against Noah. If I told her what he’d said, she’d really get down on him.

      “I took your advice. I’m going to wait a little while longer before I break the news.”

      “What made you change your mind?”

      “From the first moment I laid eyes on Noah, I’ve acted impulsively...and look where it got me. I’m going to take things slower from now on and really think everything through before I make a decision.”

      Summer pulled me into a tight hug and said, “That’s a girl. You’re not alone, either. Sam and I will be there with you every step of the way.”

      I sniffed back the tears and returned her hug. The smell of her flowery shampoo tickled my nose, and I was suddenly very grateful to have her by my side.

      The soft knock at the door separated us. Summer’s face scrunched into a frown, and she said loudly, “Go away, Sam, I’m busy with Rose.”

      There was a silent pause before Hunter’s voice called out.

      “It’s me. Rose, can we talk for a minute? I promise if you hear me out, I’ll leave when you ask me to.” Another pause and he said, “Please, Rose.”

      Summer’s frown disappeared, and she looked at me thoughtfully, shrugging her shoulders.

      “Maybe you should listen. What harm can it do?” Summer leaned in and whispered.

      A whole lot, I thought, but instead of trusting my instincts to keep distance between me and Hunter, I reluctantly nodded.

      “If you need me, give a shout. I’ll be right downstairs.” Summer squeezed me one more time and then hopped off the bed.

      When Summer opened the door, Hunter smiled thankfully at her as she held her arm out, allowing him to pass.

      She quietly shut the door behind her, and I was alone with Hunter.

      I couldn’t look at him. Too much guilt. Noah was the love of my life, but Hunter had touched my heart. He’d been there when I’d needed a friend...and he’d accepted me unconditionally. His willingness to change colleges to be close to me flooded my memory, and sometimes I wondered if I’d regret someday not picking him over Noah.

      He moved across the room swiftly and sat where Summer had been. Touching my chin, he lifted it, forcing me to face him.

      “Please, don’t ignore me. I hate this awkwardness between us. Have you forgotten how you used to talk to me—and laugh with me?”

      When my eyes met his greenish-hazel ones, I was once again mesmerized by the little brown flecks in them. He flicked his head slightly when a few strands of his blond hair fell over one of them. The action reminded me of so many other times he’d done the same thing, and I relaxed a bit.

      “I remember, but it can’t be like that anymore. I’m with Noah, and I’m afraid that you won’t let up and accept it.”

      Hunter sighed and looked straight ahead. When he spoke, his voice held a tone of defeat that made me suddenly sad.

      “I’m sorry I’ve pushed you to be with me. I just couldn’t help it. I’ve had this feeling all along that we’re meant to be together— Guess I was wrong. I won’t bother you anymore if that’s what you want.”

      My heart was greedy. Even though I knew it was wrong to keep Hunter on standby, I didn’t want to lose him. When I glanced at the side of his face looking so depressed, I needed to comfort him.

      Reaching out, I touched his cheek lightly with the back of my fingers and said, “I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

      Too quick for me to pull away, he turned and wrapped his arms around me. He did no more than hug me tightly, and the warmth and security of his hold felt good.

      Letting him continue to embrace me, I pressed my face against his chest.

      “I know you didn’t mean to make me fall in love with you. It was my fault that I ever thought I could rid your mind of Noah,” he said quietly.

      I pulled back to look up at his frown and felt a sharp sense of loss myself.

      “I do have feelings for you, Hunter. I don’t want you to think I don’t. It’s just that it’s not the same as what’s between me and Noah.”

      When he sighed, I looked at him, and he said, “Are you happy to be back in Meadowview?”

      Was