“You’re serious?” The incredulous tone of her voice tells me she doesn’t believe me.
“I am. I could use your skills at the Lodge. And maybe your attitude, too.”
Drew lights up a little, and I want to uncover whatever sent her running and why it kept her away for so long. It’s going to take some time. I want that time.
“What do you think? You can start tomorrow.”
The happy smile she gives me makes me want to find a way to keep making this happen. I’m pulled into her gravity.
“Well, well,” a snide voice chimes behind me, “look who’s back in town.”
5
DREW
I freeze when my old academic rival and head cheerleader—the girl who made my life hell when it was already falling apart—greets me.
I feel Adam’s hand at my back, the light pressure reassuring yet incriminating.
But honestly, I am in no mood to be targeted by the actual little miss perfect. The one my parents always strived for me to be.
Too bad I wasn’t valedictorian.
That was Amy Green.
She was also Prom Queen. President of the debate team. Captain of the swim team.
Lucky for me, she cheered instead of playing soccer and had the debate championship during softball.
She left me the literary awards but took everything in STEM.
And she was popular. Me…not so much. Apparently, the perfect princess intimidated others. Or made me boring. Whichever it was, I didn’t have many friends.
In fact, it was mostly Gabe and my sister Daisy.
Which meant lonely lunches at school. My teammates weren’t bad, but none of them were the close confidants I saw other people had.
“You’re here to ruin some new unsuspecting man’s reputation? Guess even Pinebrook’s perfect little princess can’t keep her crown forever.”
Adam turns us to face the beautiful, sleek blonde. There’s a flash of envy in her green eyes, then regret hits her.
“Hello, Miss Green. That wasn’t very nice.”
Her face immediately pales, and I try not to revel in it. “Mr. Lancaster, I didn’t know that was you.”
“Obviously.” He lets her stew, and so do I.
This is the only time I’ve had a real one-up on her.
And I’m a terrible, terrible person because I am loving the hesitation, the way her mouth works but no words come out.
I should feel bad about this, but I have some idea of the snide shit she was about to lay me out with. I imagine it’s probably better than the string of gossip she spread about me after prom.
Adam’s fingers twitch at my lower back.
Why is he standing up for me? “Off you go to do something far more productive. Yes?”
“Yes. Um, yes, sir.”
