Steven looks up from his battered copy ofThe Dark Half.“Why are you dragging my girlfriend into your snack shopping?”
Sam smirks. “Because I’m trying to seduce him, obviously.”
I roll my eyes and keep putting the groceries away on the shelves. I just hope I bought the right things for Sam. I even called Nova myself and asked her for some tips on what to get him. Apparently, we had the same idea.
“Sorry, Sylvie, but you’re definitely not my type.”
“You’re not mine either, Vanessa. I like blondes...” Sam smirks, throwing a mischievous glance at Steven.
Without looking up from his book, Steven raises his middle finger. “Keep your dick to yourself.”
Sam only laughs. “You love me already.”
My best friend shakes his head, but I see the faintest trace of amusement. He hasn’t turned a page in minutes because he’s too focused on us. “If that helps you sleep at night.”
When the groceries are put away, I start hauling my bags to my room. Sam throws together a sandwich before his meeting with Mr. Turner about his internship. Steven told me Nova’s been accepted to work under her chosen teacher at a downtown clinic.
Just as I’m about to disappear into my room, Steven’s phone rings. He pulls it from his pocket, smiling. “It’s Nova.”
I freeze. She never calls unless it’s serious.
Steven answers, pacing the living room, and Sam sidles up beside me, leaning against the wall with his sandwich in hand.
“Hey, babe—wait. Calm down. What? Why are you crying—what do you mean? No, I get it, but I have some cakes I ne—Nova? Hey?”
“What happened?” My voice is steady, though my chest’s tight.
Steven runs a hand through his hair. “She just said she saw a dead dog. She wanted me to come home, but I’ve got a delivery due tomorrow, and she hung up on me after apologizing.”
“And I’m the asshole,” Sam mutters.
I elbow him, but he only shrugs. “What? I’m right, and you know it,” he says with a grin. “He knows it too. Don’t you know you’re a asshole?” he asks Steven, who just ignores him.
I sigh and clap his shoulder. “Eat your sandwich.”
Sam lowers his voice so only I can hear. “If she’d called you, you’d already be at her door.”
“This doesn’t concern you,” I whisper, tugging at the hem of my Kurt Cobain shirt.
“You didn’t deny it.”
“She’s my best friend. I’ve known her since she used to cut her toenails with her teeth.”
Sam smirks. “Everyone goes through that phase. The toenails, I mean. The being in love with your best friend part? That’s just you, poet boy.”
I ignore him. Ignore the heat rising in my face. Ignore my pulse hammering. I just focus on Steven. “Why don’t you go now? Stay with her a bit, then head to the bakery.”
Steven sighs, sinking back onto the couch. “I shouldn’t have left the kitchen today. I’m already behind. We already argued earlier—she wanted to come with me to the doctor, but I said I could handle it. I can’t blow off the orders now.” He looks at me, blue eyes sharp. “You could go.”
Sam bursts out laughing. “Oh, I love this idea.”
I shake my head. “No.”
“Please, V. You understand her better than anyone. She probably didn’t call you because she thought you were at Dr. Jenkins’s.”
“You’re her boyfriend.”Unfortunately.The thought makes me flinch. I feel like a shitty friend.
“I agree with Steven,” Sam says around a mouthful of bread.
