“So, Jacob. Do you have any family nearby?”
“My sister lives in town, and our parents live a few hours away.”
“Are you and your sister close?”
He nods. “We’re only two years apart, so we practically grew up together. I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t chasing me around, trying to convince me to play soccer with her.”
“And did you?”
“No, because she kicked my ass every time.” He laughs. “She played in college, and she’s still on a rec team. I’m hopeless on the field.”
I grin. “Same here. Let’s just say, I’ve figured out every possible way to get out of gym class.”
“Well, I’d ask you if you had family nearby, too, but I already read that Toronto Tea post,” he says.
Fuck.
I swallow my wine down the wrong pipe, choking and coughing. I’d practically forgotten about that stupid blog post, with my new promotion and Ryan keeping me busy. It hasn’t sunk in that the rumor is out there now for anyone to see—including anyone I date.
Jacob pats my back, looking concerned. “I’m so sorry, Pippa, that was a bad joke. I swear, everyone knows that blog only prints stupid rumors.”
“Oh god, especially this one,” Cat chimes in. “Pippa and Ryan wouldneverbe into each other. ‘Loathing’ isn’t a strong enough word for how they feel about each other. Is there a stronger word than hatred?”
Nate and Jacob laugh, and I join in half-heartedly.
I wish I knew how Cat would react if I told her the truth about me and Ryan. Would she tell me I’m crazy? Would she judge me for it? She’s a pretty open-minded person, but I know that sleeping with my stepbrother would cross a line for a lot of people.
As much as I’d love to confide in my best friend, it’s not worth the risk. Cat’s friendship means too much for this temporary thing with Ryan to get in the way.
“Yeah, the whole post is ridiculous,” I say, as lightheartedly as I can. “I have no idea where the crazy writer could’ve possibly gotten that idea.”
“The Tea really posts a lot about you and your friends, Nate,” Jacob says. “It’s like all their writers have it out for you.”
“Not all the writers,” Cat corrects. “Just ‘Peppermint.’ When Nate and I got involved, they were always writing up these crazy theories about us.”
“Well, they weren’t all crazy theories. Some of it was actually true,” Nate says.
“So, what are we thinking about dessert?” I say quickly. I don’t want us to start picking apart how much of the Tea’s articles might be based in fact.
“I could go for the hot fudge brownies,” Jacob suggests. “Do you want to split that, Pippa?”
“Yeah, sounds great.”
While Nate and Cat debate whether to order the apple tart or the ice cream sampler, I spot my phone lighting up in my purse. Ryan’s name flashes on the screen.
Ryan
How’s the acquisitions guy?
I bet five bucks he’s boring you to tears by now.
I kick my purse under the chair so I’m not tempted to answer. I have no business answering flirty texts from my stepbrother when I have a perfectly good date sitting right next to me.
It’s time to start thinking about my future.
26
RYAN
