"You're going on a date with him?!" Kayla screamed.
It didn't matter the mental preparation Amy took before giving Kayla this information - she knew she would be able to brace for the impact she had coming.
"You didn't have to yell, Kayla," Amy muttered, hoping her ears would recover from the pitch.
"I didn't have to... Amy, what has come over you? Where... Where is all this coming from? I thought you hated this jerk!" She exclaimed.
"I don't hate him, Kayla. Stop exaggerating," Any mumbled.
"I can't believe this. Amy...," She rushed to Amy and squatted before her, "... Look into my eyes and tell me the truth - are you having feelings for him?" Kayla questioned, with concern in her eyes.
"What? No! Never! I can't have feelings for him!" Amy assured her friend but the silent Kayla gave her told her she wasn't having any of it, and she was waiting for the truth.
"Okay... Maybe a little," Amy mumbled.
"Oh, my god," Kayla massaged her forehead, so it wouldn't explode.
"Kayla, you're being overdramatic. It's not like I love him all of a sudden. I'm not even sure if the feelings. Besides, weren't you the one who connived with him to make my birthday a success? I thought you're cool with him now," Amy said.
"First of all, he and I can never be cool. He called me, and I was just about to end the call when he said he was calling for you. He said he wanted to celebrate your birthday in a way you'd like it, and he needed guidelines. He needed to know what you liked and what didn't like. I agreed to help him throw you a birthday picnic because it was in your interest. The fact that you planned to go job hunting for another job meant that you needed serious help, and I didn't have any choice but to help him help you. The fact that I helped doesn't mean we automatically became best of friends," Kayla pointed out.
The fact that Kayla had to break down her reason for helping Cole into details told Amy she really did not like him.
"You said you did it to help me, right? Well, why don't you see this one as you trying to help me too?"
"How?" Kayla questioned, confused.
"It's been seven years since I had someone, Kayla. I've never had a boyfriend, due to the traumatic experience-"
"That was caused by Cole," Kayla interrupted.
"He's my mate, Kayla. It's quite difficult to pull away. Can't you see that? Look, I want to know what it's like to love and be loved. I want to know what it feels to care about someone, and for someone to think about you all day. Kayla, you're my best friend. You should try to understand," Amy pleaded with her.
Kayla sighed.
"I understand, but I'm just trying to make sure you protect your heart. I don't want you to break your walls and allow him into your heart, only for him to ruin your life a second time. Besides, you know I told you I heard rumors that he's dating the most popular model in the world," Kayla explained.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful. A rumor is what it is - a rumor. It's not true until it's confirmed, so I'm not worried about it," she replied with a smile.
"Since we're done arguing, why don't you come help me pick the dress I'll wear for my first ever dinner date?" Amy dragged her best friend into the room.
Kayla had no choice than to be happy for her. Sometimes, she wondered how she managed to survive without a love life. She'd suggested the idea of a blind date a couple of times, but Amy blatantly refused, saying she wanted to focus on her son. Kayla gave up trying to convince her friend long ago, so this cloud had a silver lining to it.
"Which is better for a dinner date? The blue one or the black one?" Amy's question took Kayla out of her head.
The blue gown was a long gown with spaghetti legs, while the black one was shirtsleeve, but it was knee length, and showed a little cleavage whenever she wore it.
"The black one, definitely," Kayla confirmed and Amy threw the cloth on the bed.
"How about the purse? Red or silver?" Amy brought both out.
"The silver one," Kayla replied.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something," Amy said.
"What's that?"
"Liam offered me my spot at his workplace," she closed her eyes, bracing for impact.
"He did what?! And... And what did you say? Did you take it?" She questioned impatiently.
"Yes. Yes, I did," Amy replied.
She expected Kayla to say something unreasonable. Too yell and scream. Anything at all that showed she wasn't okay with it. But she just stared at Amy with no emotions on her face. And it made Amy scared.
"Look, Kayla, I know you're angry. You said we can't involve ourselves with the friend of an enemy, but Cole is not an enemy. Not anymore, at least. And we still need a source of income to settle bills and other responsibilities! I felt that since everything had died down, there was no use holding grudges with him or letting blind anger stop us from getting back our jobs. You need to understand-,"
Kayla simply got up from the bed and began heading for the door.
"Kayla? Where are you going? You can't be that angry? He told me I could bring you along too, if you'd collect it-"
Kayla shot her a death stare before exiting the room and shutting the door behind her.
"Great"
***
The horn Amy heard from outside was what she'd been waiting to hear all day. She immediately got up from the sofa and ran to her room. She checked herself in the mirror one more time. She was about to leave when she saw Kayla who hadn't said a word since she told her about the job offer.
"Cole is here. Please help me take care of Tris?"
Kayla just walked past Amy like she didn't exist.
Amy was stunned, but she didn't have the time to start troubleshooting. Besides, she knew she would take care of Tris like her own child.
She left the house and met Cole waiting outside for her.
When she caught his attention, she relished the awe in his eyes as she stared at her.
"Hi," she waved.
"You... You look... Great," He complimented, and Amy fought hard not to blush.
"Thank you," she replied.
He led her to the passenger seat and got behind the wheel.
"So where are we going?" Amy questioned once she'd put her seatbelt on.
"It's a surprise," Cole replied, with a sly smirk on his face.