I'm from a little city with expensive taste.

I closed the door behind us and stared at Chloe, trying to gauge her reaction but she looked lost. Her eyes took in the space, the way the whole room lit up simply by the daylight. Turning to me, she frowned, "Are we having a picnic? I thought we were going to try that new bistro a few doors down."

I laughed and shook my head, "Lunch can wait. I wanted to show you this place first."

She bit down on her lip and crossed her arms over her chest, walking around and looking at the space a little closer. "Is there a reason why?" She turned back to me with wide eyes, "Did Ben propose and you're thinking of having your wedding here?" She looked back around the room then at me again, "It's small... well, its spacious, but I'm assuming a Schon-Lindsell wedding will be huge and -"

"I bought the space," I cut her off with a smile. "I'm opening an art gallery!"

"So no wedding?" She frowned and I laughed, her priorities always on the right track. Plus her train of thought hadn't changed much since we were kids.

I shook my head with a grin, "Nothing will stop me from marrying your brother, but trust me, when we get engaged? You will be the first person to know."

"Well I'd hope Gabe would be the first to kno-" She cut herself off as she turned to me. "Did you say you were opening an art gallery?" She asked, eyes wide. 

I nodded, grinning so hard that my cheeks hurt a little, "I did."  

"Oh my god Cami," She blinked back tears, knowing it was something that I had always wanted but had to put aside my dreams in order to have a steady job to provide for my son.

"I know.....it's big right?" I said while she nodded in response. 

"It's perfect. It's in a great area, you don't have too much competition, the lighting....oh my god!" She said again, grabbing me and hugging me tight before pulling back.

"Shit does this mean you won't do my makeup anymore?" 

I bust out laughing, "I still will, just for free now." 

"Deal. Wow it's so beautiful, are you going to get a decorator for anything or do it all yourself? When did you decide this!? Does Ben know? You have so much to tell me!!!"

"Wow. Slow down silly girl," I laughed.

"I'm sorry I'm just so excited for you!!!"

"Thanks," I said back and smiled wide once more, everything in my life falling into place. I'd spent so much of my life holding back on my dreams and finally I was getting everything I had ever wanted. I felt like pinching myself since nothing ever seemed to go my way and I was constantly afraid that this was all too good to be true. "I'm not sure about hiring a decorator, but I think I'll do it all myself. And of course Ben knows, he's been very supportive and amazing."

Chloe's eyes were still so wide, but she looked genuinely happy for me, "So when did you decide this??"

"It's always been my dream, but..." I trailed off since she knew the story better than anyone. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled at my best friend, "It just seemed like the right moment."

"Because you two are getting serious," She wiggled her eyebrows and I laughed.

"Haven't we been serious since we were kids?!" 

"I thought so!" 

"We are. Of course we are."

"Took you long enough," She said under her breath, probably feeling tempter to do her whole 'I told you so' song and dance routine. One of these days I'd really start listening to her when it came to dating advice. She surprisingly knew a lot. 

"Yes yes, you're always right. What do you think?"

"I think you deserve everything that you're getting," She said honestly, pulling me into a deep hug. "But if this place doesn't serve food I'm going to eat you."

I bust out laughing, "It's a nice offer but I'm kind of already sleeping with your brother." 

"Let's go eat silly cutie," She shook her head, looping an arm in mine as we walked across the street to the new bistro I'd heard about. 

"Is it too early to celebrate with champagne?" I asked after we'd been sat by the cute host.

"Are you seriously asking ME that?" She laughed. "It's never too early to celebrate with champagne. Especially when you have so much to celebrate." 

I smiled back at Chloe and nodded my head, "So what about you? Are we celebrating anything on your end?" She sighed but kept a serious face, shrugging her shoulders. "Well this should be good," I grinned as I studied her expression, already knowing that the next words out of her mouth would be about a boy. More specifically, Tristan.

"Works been going good... and school..." She trailed off and shrugged again.

I laughed, "Oh? Was that sigh for work?"

A genuine smile played on her lips, "I have a dinner date this weekend?"

"With the guy you met at Gabe's swim camp?" I lifted an eyebrow since she really wasn't telling me much and that was so unlike her. No wonder she ended up in the press more than anyone else; she usually held back nothing. 

"No," She made a guilty face.

"What is that face for?" I asked, drawing a circle in the air in front of her head.

"I dunno. He was kind of perfect. Good looking, good job, clearly good with kids."

"But-" i pressed on and she shrugged.

"I didn't feel it," She admitted, licking her lips and sipping her water, blushing a little as she left it at that. 

"I feel like there's so much you're not telling me," I said, my eyes narrowed in a glare. 

Chloe took a deep breath, "Ben doesn't want to know about my love life." 

I nodded, "Do you really want to know much about his?"

"Of course. Why do you think I'm so nosy?" She laughed and I smirked at my friend.

"Okay fine. He's just feeling a little...." I looked for the word.

"Weird that I've seen his best friend naked? Well I feel the same way about you and I don't let it ruin our friendship," She sighed and ran her hands over her face, tired from the drama. "Forget I said that. I don't want to put you in the middle of Ben and I. That's selfish and I'm attempting to be a more selfless person."

I laughed at how silly she was being and shook my head, "I love you Chloe and I was your best friend before anything else. I hate being put in the middle of you two, but I am always here for you."

She smiled at me, even if it was a little weak, "I know, but still...."

"But nothing," I said firmly. 

She lifted an eyebrow, "Like you loved being in the middle of it last time? Having to keep that secret from Ben?"

I sighed and leaned back in my seat, knowing that she had a point, but that was different. "Tristan had to be the one to tell Ben about the two of you," I said seriously. "If Ben found out through me? He never would've forgave Tristan."

"But still, you had to hate me a little just for telling you," She said with a tiny grin playing on her lips.

I grinned back, "I will never hate you. You're more than a best friend to me. You're my son's godmother, my -"

"Are you sure you're not pregnant?" She cut me off with a smirk. 

I laughed and shook my head, "Hopefully I'll be married to your brother before he knocks me up again.... and no changing the subject!!" 

Chloe stuck my tongue out at me and I just folded my arms, glaring at her again. "We decided it wasn't worth the drama to keep...." She started, trying to think of a word for what it was they were even doing.

"Fucking?" I answered for her, making her laugh.

"The Ben thing is a deal breaker for both of us," She continued. "But-" 

I grinned as she blushed, "But you can't stay away?" 

"I like him. I like how I feel when I'm with him. I even like how he manages to piss me off more than anyone I know. I know it's a terrible idea but I get one taste of him and I'm a goner."

"Sounds good," I wiggled my eyebrows at her and she laughed again.

"I haven't slept with him again," She assured me. "Ugh I just wish I could get over him. It's never going to last, I'm no naive, I could never be enough for him. But what the hell is it going to take for me to start even looking at other guys?" 

"You have got it bad Chlo," I smirked, leaning back in my chair.

"Why do you look so smug?" She asked me. "This is a disaster waiting to happen!"

"Because I can't remember the last time you were so into someone," I said seriously, remembering back to high school when she had a crush on the exchange student from Italy. The two could barely hold a conversation, but did that stop Chloe? No. She went for what she wanted and nothing ever stopped her. Not then at least. "Even when you were dating Jared? You barely seemed interested!"

"Jackson," She corrected me and grinned, "And that's because I wasn't. My crush on Tristan was taking over even then."

I laughed and felt genuinely bad for her, not wanting to say it out loud and be put in the middle of her and her brother. The thing was, I was in love with Ben and I'd always be on his side, try to see where he was coming from... and while I saw his point on this? I honestly thought that Chloe and Tristan might be right for each other. "So you two haven't slept together again? Only that one time?" I looked up at her after scanning the menu, knowing what I was going to order. 

"Well, there was that time on his desk..." She trailed off, blushing again. "We didn't have sex, but dear god Cami, that man is amazing with his tongue.

I smirked at her, holding back from giving her details on my sex life with her brother since I knew Ben would be mortified if he knew. "Yeah yeah, what are you ordering? I'm suddenly starving now," I replied and wrinkled my nose, wanting dessert too. 

"We had phone sex a few nights back," She said suddenly.

I set down my glass, practically snorting into it, "Phone sex?! Like you skyped him?" 

She shook her head, "No like just talking on the phone!!" 

"Do people still do that?" I chuckled and she laughed.

"If it's usually that good? They should," She replied. "And I'm getting chocolate cake."

"That's not lunch."

"What lunch food curbs sexual frustration?"

I laughed, "You're ridiculous." 

She nodded, "I know. Let's switch back to you now though, your life is less dramatic."

"Wait, your date Saturday. Is it with Tristan?" 

She nodded and looked nervous, "Yeah. He asked me to cook for him." 

I grinned, "Well if your cooking doesn't get him to fall for you I don't think anything will." 

"Damn right," She agreed, laughing as the waiter came by to take our orders. She caved and got a basic soup and salad, but pouted about it.

"And we'll get the chocolate cake to split," I added, making her perk up. "You're welcome," I shot Chloe a grin. 

"You're a savior."

I laughed and shook my head, "We're trying to cut down on sweets and I think I need that chocolate cake more than you do."

She rolled her eyes, "You have my brother and can have sex whenever you want. I definitely need to cake."

I faked a thoughtful expression before nodding my head, "You're right. My sex life is currently at it's peak." She groaned but I still knew that she was happy for me. I was lucky that I could have both Lindsell's in my life and not have it be weird... Then again, I fell in love with Ben when we were so young, while Chloe and I had planned out ways to be sisters in law that I guess we didn't know any other way. I smiled at my best friend, "So how is school going?"

"Busy," She said with a sigh and leaned back in her chair. "Between school and modeling? I have hardly any free time."

"But you're willing to make time for Tristan..." I trailed off with a wink.  

"Am I crazy to even consider this with him?" She asked and I blinked at her.

"Are you asking me for my opinion?" 

She nodded, "I mean I know Ben thinks its a terrible idea and honestly? I see his point. And I'm not asking you as Ben's girlfriend, I would never use your opinion against you with him, but as my best friend....what do you think?" 

I shook my head, "You have NEVER asked me for an opinion on a guy."

"That's not true," She started but then thought about it for a moment. 

"Nu-uh. When you had your mind set on a guy you never cared about what anyone thought and trust me I've had plenty of opinions."

"You have?" She shot me a questioning look and I nodded.

"Yeah they're all assholes or pussies. With no ability to keep up with you even if you paid them."

"What about Jackson!?"

"Pussy. I saw that break-up a mile away," I said faster than she'd even finished the sentence.

"Oh my god Cami why didn't you ever say anything!?"

"Because you're a big girl and I guess I figured that sooner or later you'd learn from your mistakes," I shrugged my shoulders, wishing that Chloe could find that perfect in between kind of guy, not necessarily an asshole but not too nice either. 

"Have I?" 

I smirked as she lifted an eyebrow and shook my head again, "Honestly? No." She stuck her tongue out at me and grinned as the waiter returned with our salads. We both said a polite to him and started eating. "I think Ben might propose soon..." I trailed off, looking up from my plate to grin at my best friend.

"What?? That's huge!" Her eyes widened. "Tell me everything! Did you get a ring already?? How do you know?"

"I don't know," I said with a little pout because really, I had no idea. I guess it was just a feeling. 

She frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, he keeps saying that he wants to marry me... but we've kind of been saying that to each other since we were kids," I shrugged. "Just a feeling. Wishful thinking?"

"Doubtful." She laughed, "I know Ben, he's dying to marry you. About fucking time." 

"Does Cami Lindsell have a good ring to it?" 

She laughed, "It does, now if Ames marries Milena all my friends will be related to me." 

"That's a little weird huh?" I wrinkled my nose and she laughed a little harder.

"I wouldn't' worry about it, I don't think they're that serious," She winked and then thought about it. "Though we do tend to keep it in the family a little too much. At least I've never fucked Noah." 

I started giggling as the waiter brought over our food, "Not for lack of trying on his part." 

She shrugged, "Maybe I'm missing out. We could switch. I'll be a Schon, you be a Lindsell."

"Being a Lindsell is better," I pouted. "Trust me. Though I think Noah could probably keep up with you actually." 

"Hah! I'm moving out of the family circle remember?"

"Oh yeah, super far out," I said sarcastically in between bites. "Tristan isn't a part of the family circle at all."

"My god what is wrong with all of us!?" She asked, shaking her head at the ridiculousness of everyone's lives.

"What's wrong with me?!."

"I guess you and Ben don't count. I'm pretty sure you were born in love with him."

"Soulmates," I winked at my friend who rolled her eyes. "Hey, you've been our biggest fan since the beginning."

"Way to make me sound like a weirdo," She laughed again and shook her head. "I'm happy for you guys."

"Only you'd be a little bit happier if you were in a relationship?" I asked with an eyebrow raised.

A strange look appeared on her face before she shrugged it away, "So what are we doing after lunch?"

"No subject changes!! I'm not that easily sidetracked," I grinned.

She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know what I want."

I shook my head, "You want Tristan. But the question is, what do you want from him?"

"A month locked in a hotel room naked," She said seriously and I laughed.

"And after that?" I smirked.

"I don't know," She sighed. "Am I really that petty that I can't be truely happy for you because I don't have what you and Ben do....god I hope not. But I do want it."

"You'll get it someday," I assured her. "You're a catch."

"If only I'd be a man, I'd be proposing to you and then I wouldn't have these problems."

"Would you look like Ben? Because that's my type." 

"No. Better looking. Just like I am now," She grinned smugly while I rolled my eyes.

"You should figure out what you want before rushing into anything with Tristan."

"I've already slept with him, its not like doing it a few more times will make it different," She said casually.

"Maybe. But you and I both know that's not all you want."

"Why do we keep talking about me when there's cake to be eaten!?"

"You've gotten great at deflecting," I winked at her before reaching for my spoon and getting a big piece of cake. My mouth was practically watering since we tried not to have too many sweets in our house. They made Gabe into a little wild man. 

She grinned back at me and scooped up a piece that matched mine, bringing it to her mouth and closing her eyes as she made an inhuman noise while eating it. "Oh my god, who needs sex when you have cake?!" She said after swallowing. 

I threw my head back and laughed, "Did Chloe Lindsell just seriously say that??"

"You're not allowed to comment on that since you're having sex. Everyday. With my brother," She wrinkled her nose.

"Sometimes more than that," I grinned wide at her. 

"Really? When do you have the time? Or does Ben not last that long," She added in a whisper and smirked as I rolled my eyes.

"You're awful."

"I know right?" 

"Even quickies beat phone sex," I laughed. "And our quickies last a while."

"Touche mon amie," She chuckled. "But the cake is pretty good too." And the phone sex had been hot. But I wasn't sure if that was just because of the guy or I was really just that hard up.

"Want to go see a movie after this?" I asked. "I don't know what to do with myself when I don't have Ben or Gabe."

"So I'm your consolation prize? No sex or cute kids but Chloe will eat cake with me?!" She pretended to pout and I rolled my eyes again.

"God you're dramatic."

"Let's go dancing instead!"

"I have to be up with a kid tomorrow morning," I reminded her.

"So? We wont drink! When's the last time we went dancing together?" 

I sighed, "You're a bad influence on me."

"I know it. And I'm okay with it."