Blood Always

  “—we will do this together, and it will all work out, I promise.”

  “Ash! I’m not pregnant. I got a job … in Ireland.”

  Ash's stunned eyes met mine, tears still wet on my flushed cheeks. After what felt like ages, she breathed out a huge sigh and sank back into the couch. “Oh, thank God, because no matter what I said, I’m not ready for a kid yet.”

  We both contemplated that image before she peered at me curiously. “Then why are you crying? This is a good thing, right? A museum job?”

  I reached for Ashley's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s an amazing opportunity, I’ll have my foot in the door at a world-class museum. But Ash, you’re my soul sister, and it’s so far away. I’m going to miss you so much, and I don’t want you to be upset at me for leaving.”

  Her eyes got glassy as she sat forward. “Bec, there won’t be a day we don’t talk, so don’t you even worry about it. You need to do this, and I know I'll miss you, but I’m also thrilled for you too—how could I be mad that you're getting to chase after your dream?” She gave me a warm hug as I tried to comprehend how I had lucked into finding such an amazing best friend.

  “Thank you, Ash.”

  “When are you supposed to leave?”

  “I told Fergus, that’s my new boss, that I could be there in two weeks.”

  She nodded to herself, eyes narrowed in concentration before she spoke. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I haven’t taken hardly a day of vacation since I started my job, so I’m going to pack my shit, and I’m going with you for the first couple weeks while you settle in. We can get your new place set up, check out the area, and see how many gorgeous Irish men we can round up.”

  My mouth fell open, and for a moment I had no words. “Are you sure? That’s a long trip, and it's such short notice—I don’t want you to get in trouble with your boss. Not to mention it’s not a cheap trip to get over there.” I knew from the determined set of her lips and narrowing of her eyes that she had made up her mind, and there would be no arguing with my stubborn friend.

  “It’s my vacation time, and I can use it if I want, and don’t start about it being expensive—I’m an independent woman with no kids and a decent job; I can decide to jet off to Europe if I want to.”

  I laughed at my best friend, and my chest warmed.

  She jumped up and clapped her hands together. “I'm so excited! I'd say I'm too excited to eat, but we both know that will never happen.”

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