Free California Sunshine by Tamara Miller

the smile. "I wouldn't dance with anyone else. I came for the drinks, but her being here made my night." I blushed, looking down momentarily until he leaned in and whispered. "I knew you would look ravishing in red."
                  My blush deepened. "Thank you." I whispered in reply.
     
                  The night flew by, Josh and I had danced several more times. Sipping from each other's drinks when we were sitting with Mike and Ashley. I could tell that they were catching on to something I wasn't. Either I wasn't, or I was doing what I was good at, which was ignoring the obvious. I always tried my hardest to not expect much from life, because when I thought it was going my way, it always took a hard left at 'fuck-you-ville'.
                  "So where are you staying?" Mike asked, obviously noticing that I had been quiet.
                  "Millennium Biltmore."
                  "Well, you should stay with us," Ashley added.
                  Josh leaned over. "I think you should stay with me." he whispered.
                  I looked at him, our eyes meeting. "Well, I have missed that bed." I whispered in reply.
                  "They don't have to know. Just say you're still staying at the hotel."
                  I smiled.
                  "What are you two love birds talkin' about?" Ashley asked.
                  I turned, facing her once more. "Nothing. We ain't love birds."
                  "Not yet." she replied.
                  I groaned. "Ashley. Leave her alone." Josh said, staring straight at her.
                  "You know it's gonna happen!" She exclaimed.
                  "Maybe. Who knows? For now, though, we're only friends. Stop trying to set us up--"
                  Before Josh could say anything else, she held her hand up and stopped. "I know, I know. If ya'll want to date you will. I get it. I just see how ya'll look at each other, and sometimes I wonder if you're both oblivious."
                  I had had enough of this. "We're not oblivious. I ain't stayin' with ya'll I'm gonna stay with Josh. Think what ya'll want, but I'll stay in the spare bedroom. Nothin's gonna happen unless we both want it to. Now I'm done! I'm done with this stupid conversation that comes up every time Josh and I are around each other. I like him, he likes me. We know that! We've known that for a while! It ain't no damn secret, but there, it's out in the open now. We talk about more than y'all give us credit for. We text, we've Skyped a couple of times. We. Are. Friends! If somethin' more happens, well then it happens. But I don't need you meddlin' anymore!" I exclaimed, grabbing my clutch and finishing my drink before walking away from her. And away from so many things that had been holding me back.
     
                  I was standing outside when I felt Josh's hand on my back. "Are you okay?" he asked, sounding worried.
                  "I'm fine. I'm sorry. I cain't take her bein' so, so, ugh!" I exclaimed. I was too frustrated to even say how I was feeling at that exact moment in time.
                  "Come on. Let's get out of here."
                  "Thank you, but I've gotta go back to the hotel to get my stuff first."
                  "Well mind if I tag along?"
                  "Not at all," I replied as a cab pulled up in front of us.
     
                  Before I changed at the hotel Josh had asked to get a picture with me, and if he could post it to his Facebook. I had agreed. After all was said and done, I was in sweats and a white t-shirt.
                  "It ain't glamorous, but it's me." I said, walking out of the bathroom.
                  "I think you're beautiful no matter what." He replied as my phone dinged. I turned the