Best Friends Forever Read online

  After we looked at the menus and ordered, we found ourselves alone. Now’s my chance to ask if she was serious last night. I was very nervous but had a nearly overwhelming need to get closer to her, to find out if she felt the same way I do. “So…” I start nervously. “So?” she smirked at me. “I was…um…wondering…” “Wondering what?” It was as if she knew what I wanted to ask her but was determined to drag it out, to make me say it aloud. I took a quick swallow of my beer. “Did you mean what you said last night?” She looked startled and nervous. “About what?” Geez. She’s going to make me say it. “About…wondering what…what it would be like…” I could feel my face flush red. I never dreamed I’d be having such a conversation with Meri, my best friend. Meri was sitting across the table from me, a sexy little smirk on her face. “Are you sure you want to have this conversation here, Grant?” I took a sip of my water and shook my head. “Maybe you’re right. This is something that should be discussed in private.”

  Just then, the waitress brought our drinks and food to the table. I smiled at the beautiful woman across from me. “Can we discuss this tonight?” She smiled shyly, looking up at me through beautiful lashes. “Yeah, I think that would be a…wonderful idea.” My heart beat just a little faster at her sweet smile. Damn, how I love this woman. Tonight, I start to put my plan in action. The plan that will make my sweet Meri…my very best friend…mine in every way possible. I planned to show her just how much she meant to me and how special a relationship we could have not just as best friends but as lovers, soul mates, and…when she was ready…husband and wife.

  We spent the rest of our meal talking about inconsequential things. She told me about the frat boys she was forced to evict from her library for playing football. “At first they thought I was joking around and refused to leave.” “You didn’t call security?” “No, I just told them that if they didn’t take it outside, I’d kick their butts personally and let the entire campus know that they’d been bested by a mere girl.” “Meri! What the heck were you thinking? They could have hurt you.” She shrugged. “Nah, it wouldn’t have gone that far.” “How do you know that? Meri,” I reached across the table and took her hand. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost my other half. Please...promise me you’ll call security next time something like this happens. Please?” She gave me the biggest, sweetest smile and my heart swelled. Squeezing my hand, she answered, “You’re right, I should have handled it differently. I promise I’ll call security next time if they don’t leave when I tell them to. Okay?” I couldn’t help but chuckle at her big, innocent looking eyes and pouty mouth. “Okay.”

  Meredith

  Grant is so sweet. First he brought me my very favorite breakfast and then bought a cute hat so I wouldn’t sunburn. After hours wandering the Market, we stopped for lunch at a homey little Mexican café. When he brought up the subject of last night, I thought I would die of embarrassment. We agreed to talk about it that evening. What’s to talk about? Is he going to try to talk me out of it? Will he offer to spank me? Ooh, my panties get wet just thinking about Grant paddling my bottom. Our meal came and we spent the rest of the time talking about inconsequential things. Grant, for some reason, seemed angry when I told him I stood up to a group of frat boys playing football in my library. He’s always been protective but suddenly it was almost like he was afraid someone would take me away from him. Like that will ever happen. I loved this man with all my heart and the only way I’d ever leave him would be if he pushed me away. Even then, I wouldn’t go without a fight. This delicious, sexy man was my soul mate and I decided it was time I made my move and convinced him of it.

  Changing the subject from frat boys and football, I asked him how his classes went that week. His face flushed a dusky pink when he asked my advice about how to handle a freshman who appeared to have developed a crush on her art history professor. I wasn’t surprised. Grant was one of the smartest people I knew and was a natural born teacher, not to mention totally hot. I knew most of his students loved and respected him. “What’s the matter? Can’t you handle a little teenage crush?” I teased. Usually, he loved it when I teased him but, this time, he gave me a dark frown. “This one’s a bit more complicated.” “Complicated how? Oh. My. God. You slept with her, didn’t you?” My taco sat like a lead ball in my stomach and my heart ached. The thought of Grant sleeping with one of his students…or any other woman…hurt so much. He quickly soothed my worry when he frowned. “Good lord, no. Meri, you know me better than that!”

  I reached for his hand, squeezing it tight. “I’m sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have said that. Of course you wouldn’t sleep with one of your students. So what’s so complicated about this woman’s crush?” “She’s eighteen…just a child really…and barely out of high school. And, here’s the kicker, her daddy is a big benefactor for the college.” “Oh, now I see. You don’t think her father would cause problems for you, do you?” I asked worriedly. “I mean, you just got tenure a few months ago so they can’t fire you, can they?” “You’re right, they can’t fire me as long as I don’t break any of the college’s rules. For now, though, I’ve decided that my office hours will be by appointment only, at least until the end of the semester. And my teaching assistant will be in every meeting with a student.” He took a swallow of his beer. “I’ve even begun keeping my office door locked when I’m the only one there. That way, she can’t just pop in and try to get me alone.”

  “Have you tried talking to the girl?” “Not yet. I’m just not sure how to approach the subject. I don’t want to embarrass her or hurt her feelings but I can’t let this get out of hand.” He shuddered slightly and I could tell that this girl really bothered him. “What about the Dean or the girl’s parents?” I asked. “Can you talk to them?” He nodded and gave me a slight smile as if attempting to lighten the mood that was threatening to destroy an otherwise fun day. “Yes, I have an appointment to speak with the Dean Monday morning. I’ve already explained what’s going on and he’s agreed to bring her parents in for the meeting. And...if I have to…I will withdraw her from my class. I don’t want it to come to that because she’s a good student and I’d hate to be responsible for any setbacks academically.” My Grant is such a sweetheart. He can’t stand hurting an impressionable girl’s feelings.

  I took his hand again. “Well, I’m sure you’ll do what’s best for this girl and everything will work out fine.” Suddenly, I had an idea. “Have you thought about discouraging her interest by telling her you’re gay?” He burst out laughing, drawing the attention of the other diners. “Seriously, Meri? Do you really think I could pull that off?” I pretended to think. “Nah, you’re right. There’s no way you could convince her you’re gay. How about telling her you’re celibate, you’re training to be a monk?” Snickering, he shook his head. “I’ve got one,” he said as he leaned forward. “What’s that?” I asked suspiciously. “How about…” his voice got deeper and my heart began to race. “I tell her that I have a beautiful, intelligent, and very...sexy...girlfriend who I love very much?” I leaned back; his intense gaze making me a little nervous. He’s up to something, I thought to myself. “And what will you do when she finds out you don’t have such a girlfriend?”

  “I’ll introduce her to you.” “Me?” Surprised, my voice squeaked. “Why…why me?” “Seriously, Meri?” He raised one finger. “One, you are one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met.” A second finger went up. “Two, you are very intelligent. You’ve got degrees coming out your ears, practically. And three,” up went a third finger. “Half the college thinks we’re dating.” My eyes wide, I didn’t know what to say. Anyone who knows me would find that by itself amazing. “They do?” Again with the squeaky voice. Grant chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, babe, they do. I mean, honestly, we’re together more often than apart. So, what do you think? Want to be my pretend girlfriend?” He waggled his eyebrows comically and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, alright. I guess I can sacrifice my non-existent social life and be your pretend
girlfriend,” I tried to sound put upon but couldn’t help but laugh, ruining the effect. His chuckle made my panties dampen again. Oh, how I wish it was more than pretend.

  He pointed at my now empty plate. “Are you done or do you want dessert?” I patted my not quite flat tummy and shook my head. “No, I’m full. I need to do some more walking to keep all these calories from gravitating to my fa...” He narrowed his eyes and growled. “I mean my ample bottom.” I smiled sweetly and batted my lashes at him until he grinned. Throwing cash on the table to pay for lunch, he took my hand, lacing our fingers together as we headed back out into the Market.

  Chapter Three

  Grant

  Pretend girlfriend? I realized how lame and juvenile it sounded as soon as the words left my mouth. But, if it made Meri smile and laugh, I’d make a fool of myself any day of the week. We finished lunch and headed back out into the Market, her small hand laced with mine. Grinning down at her, I asked, “Do you want to wander some more or are you tired?” Shaking her head, her grin matched mine. “Let’s wander some more. You never know what treasures we might find.” I teasingly groaned as if the idea of carrying her treasures wore me out. I let her lead me down a row of stalls full of colorful merchandise.

  After several minutes of wandering, Meri suddenly stopped at a stall where the tables were piled high with colorful folds of fabric. At first, I hesitated but then I saw the look of near rapture on her face. Meri has always loved brightly colored clothing. When we were teenagers, I used to tease her by saying she was like a colorful little bird. But, if I were honest with myself, I absolutely loved to see my little Meri in bright, gauzy layers that fluttered all around her. I stepped closer to the table, my eyes on her excited face. “Oh, Grant, aren’t they beautiful?” Following her gaze, I suddenly froze and my mouth went dry.

  There on the table, in every bright color imaginable, were small scraps of silk, satin, and lace. Bikini panties, tiny little boy-style shorts, and thongs lay along aside matching bras in every style and size. My knees went weak when Meri picked up a tiny pair of little boy-style shorts in hot pink lace. “Ooh, I hope they have my size. Help me, Grant.” My jeans were suddenly way too tight in the crotch as I held up my hands in surrender. “Oh, no. You’re all on your own, babe. I’ll just stand here and watch, if it’s all right with you.” The dark-haired woman manning the stall looked at me with a smirk on her face. She leaned over the table and spoke to Meri, not bothering to lower her voice. “Your man seems a little nervous around all this lingerie.” Meri’s eyes grew big. “He’s not…” Unable to stop myself, I reached over and tucked my hand into her back pocket. I could feel her warmth through the denim and my erection stretched another inch.

  Meri made the cutest little squeak before cutting her eyes over at me. A sly little smile came over her face as she turned back to the other woman. Leaning closer, she said in a stage whisper, “He has a thing for all the bright colors.” The woman’s smile grew bigger as she looked over at me. “Oh, really?” she drawled. By then, I could feel my face growing pink. “Meri,” I tried to tug her away from the stall but she was having nothing of it. Chattering away like they’d known one another for years, Meri and the other woman began discussing the pros and cons of boy shorts versus thongs before moving on to underwire versus padded bras. Thirty minutes later, Meri was paying for an assortment of miniscule scraps of nothing and my head was about to explode. One more minute and I would be forced to toss her down on top of all those colors and slide deep inside her whether she was ready or not.

  I took the bag holding Meri’s purchases from the saleswoman who winked at me. Grabbing my hand, Meri said goodbye to her new friend and led me away from the stall. “I just love all my new lingerie and I can’t believe the great deals I got.” She stopped and grinned at me, “You are such a good sport, baby. Letting that woman think you…that you and I…” Her face turned pink and I wondered, is she embarrassed that the woman thought we were a couple? I caught her looking at me sideways and nibbling lightly at her lower lip. No, not embarrassed…turned on? Oh yes, my Meri is turned on. If I were honest, I was very turned on myself. All that sexy lace and satin and Meri. Oh yeah, I was definitely turned on and I couldn’t wait to put my plan into action. Operation Meri would begin that night.

  Walking through the Market on our way back to my car, Meri found another booth filled with colorful scraps of fabric. Not lingerie but I had no idea what they were. But, like always, I went along with whatever Meri wanted. She picked up one piece of cloth that looked like a flock of exotic birds printed in greens and blues on a large piece of silk. “Isn’t it beautiful, Grant?” I grinned. “Gorgeous but…what’s it for?” She giggled. “It’s a sarong, silly.” “I thought a sarong was a dress?” I teased. “Of course, it’s a dress.” She playfully slapped me on the chest. “It looks like this until you put it on.” “Huh? Okay, now I’m confused.” “It’s all in how you fold and drape it. I’m going to get this one. What do you think?” I pretended to give it serious consideration before nodding. “I think you look good in anything, babe.”

  I looked over the other swatches of fabric and suddenly one struck my eye. Made of soft black raw silk, it was covered with large, bright red tropical flowers. I imagined how it would look draped over Meri’s lush body and my hard-on was back with a vengeance. I picked it up to show her. “I like this one. I want to buy it for you.” “Really? You want to buy that for me?” “Of course. I think it will look beautiful on you.” At my nod, her grin lit up. Standing on tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to my cheek. “You are so sweet.” I could feel my heart swell, right along with my erection, as she smiled up at me. She picked out a third sarong of various shades of green that remind me of her eyes when she’s happy. Paying for our purchases, we added them to the bags I was already carrying and continued to wend our way through the stalls.

  After a few more stops to pick up a couple of nice shirts for me and some fresh produce, we made our way to my car. I popped the trunk and we placed our purchases inside. Opening the passenger door for Meri, I waited for her to step inside the vehicle. She stopped and turned to look up at me, her eyes sparkling. “I really had fun today, Grant. Thank you.” “Me too, babe,” I smiled down at her, happy that she enjoyed spending time with me. She placed one small hand on my shoulder, with one on the car door, and stood on tiptoe to kiss me on the cheek. At the split second before her soft lips touched my cheek, I turned my head and, instead of a kiss on the cheek, her lips gently brushed mine. I felt a jolt of electricity go straight to my groin and from the look in her beautiful eyes, Meri felt it, too. Her face pinked as she quickly turned and sat in the car. Hiding a grin, I closed her door and jogged around the front of the car to the driver’s door. Oh, yeah. She felt it, too. Starting the vehicle, I put it in gear and pulled out of the parking lot.

  Meredith

  I felt my face flush a bright pink as I quickly got in the car and Grant closed my door. The jolt of electricity I felt when my lips brushed his made my nipples peak and my panties damp. Watching him trying to hide a grin while he jogged around the front of the car, I hid a smile. He felt that, too. Grant started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Suddenly, I remembered, “We need to stop at the grocery store.” Pulling into traffic, Grant barely glanced at me. “What do you need? Whatever it is, I might have it at my apartment.” I grinned at him. “You spewed my last beer all over my living room.” “I’ll have you know that it wasn’t all over the living room. It was only on the coffee table and a small area of the rug. Besides,” he teased me. “It was all your fault.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, but you still owe me for the beer. Besides, I need to pick up a few other things.” “Yeah, I should probably pick up a few things, too. Is that place down the street from us okay?” “Sure.”

  We spent the rest of the trip chatting about our families and what we might do for our birthdays. With only one exception, we’ve spent every single birthday together. Both our mothers wanted us to come h
ome since this was the big three-oh for both of us. Soon, Grant pulled into the small grocery store located halfway between campus and our apartment building. Saturdays were usually busy, with all the students shopping for food and necessities so the parking lot was nearly full. Grant found a spot not too far from the front of the store and we got out. At the front of the store, he held the door for me and I grabbed a cart. Turning to follow Grant to the first aisle, I suddenly rammed right into his delectable rear.

  He was standing in the middle of the aisle, a look of chagrin on his handsome face. “Oh crap,” he muttered under his breath. “Grant?” Abandoning the cart, I walked around him and stared up into his face with concern. “Is everything okay? What’s wrong, babe?” Shaking his head, he put his mouth close to my ear and murmured, “Don’t react, but the student I was telling you about is headed this way.” “Oh. Where is she? Does she see us?” I murmured back, trying not to turn around, although I really wanted to see what she looked like. “She’s coming up aisle three with another girl. I don’t think she sees us yet.” I really needed the few items I came there for so there was no way I was going to leave just because some brazen hussy couldn’t leave my man alone but that didn’t mean we couldn’t try to avoid her. I grabbed his arm. “Come on.” Pushing the cart in front of us, we headed towards aisle two.

  “Hey, Ms. MacDonagh! Wait up!” Crap! I heard the loud voice of one of the frat boys behind us. Of course, he had to yell halfway across the store. Everyone was looking at Grant and me, including his little stalker. The frat boy hurried up to us, followed by his two cohorts. “Listen, I really wanted to apologize for the way we acted the other day in the library. We good?” I smiled coolly at the boy. “Yes, as long as you don’t disrupt the library again, we’re good.” He seemed nervous, sticking his hands in his pockets and looking down at his shoes. “So...um...Ms. Mac, we’re...um...having this party at our house tonight and...um...I...I mean we were wondering if you’d like to come?”