"Ahh…" I glanced up at the ceiling, stalling as I searched for the right response. "Look, I'm sure you can appreciate that high school was a terrible time for me,"
Harrison glanced away, shamefaced. "I know. And I really need to speak to you privately about that."
I nodded. That wasn't going to happen, but I would play along. "I just don't want to go and pretend to reminisce with people who treated me abysmally for four years. I had no happy or even fond memories of high school. To be honest, I would probably go to a teacher's reunion more than a student one, considering I talked to them more," I joked.
He rolled his lips in, which, unfortunately for me, made his dimples pop.
"You understand, right?" I didn't care if he did or didn't, to be honest. I didn't owe Harrison or anyone else an explanation. I didn't owe Harrison or anyone else my time.
Okay, except maybe Amelia and Liam since I promised to be in their bridal party. But everyone else outside my two friends and my family could go fuck themselves.
"Yeah." He nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I get it."
A loud silence fell between us, and the air seeped with mounting tension. Harrison glanced around the room before his gaze zeroed in on Amelia and Liam canoodling in the corner.
"I'm gonna get another beer and chat with Liam about the bachelor party." The sudden pivot in conversation was a little odd, especially with how heavy the subject had been. Something felt amiss.
But then he flashed me that dimpled smile, and if he hadn't been Harrison fucking O'Connor, I would've melted into a pile of goo. Talk about a panty-dropping sight.
"I'll talk to you later?"
"Sure." I offered him a placating smile even though I planned on avoiding him again for the rest of the night.
I followed his movements as he strolled off towards the direction of our friends. I watched curiously as he tapped Amelia on the shoulder and whispered in her ear. Amelia nodded before murmuring something to Liam, pecking him on the cheek, and following Harrison through the throng of people.
Hmm. Weird.
CHAPTER 5
"Argh,mustyoubeso loud?"
I grinned wickedly as I continued to whirl my smoothie in the blender for a few seconds longer than necessary.
"Morning, sunshine," I cheerily greeted. I topped it off with a merry wave.
Amelia groaned as she wiped a hand down her bleary-eyed face. Her feet shuffled against the floor until she reached the kitchen bar, collapsing heavily onto the stool opposite me. Burying her head in her arms, she gave another loud groan. So dramatic.
"Tired, are we?" I watched in amusement as I twisted the lip onto the blender cup before sipping the refreshing mixed beverage.
"How are you not?" She lifted her head, her bright red hair a riot of tangled curls. I bit back a giggle when she peeked at me through make-up-smeared eyes. Oh, she wasn't going to like that. Amelia had been super meticulous about her beauty routine in the months leading up to her Big Day.
"Becauuuuse," I sang. "I was too busy making sure everything was perfect for you guys. I barely drank."
She nodded before wincing at the movement. "Did I thank you for that? Seriously, you did not have to do that, but I'm super grateful."
I waved her gratitude away and took another gulp of my green beverage. I cheekily offered my cup to Amelia, chuckling when she stuck her tongue out in disgust. She hated my health smoothies.
"You thanked me no less than a hundred times. The majority being after your fourth shot."
Amelia groaned again at the mention of alcohol, rubbing at her Panda eyes. "God, I don't even remember when I got home," she yawned.
"Well, you were definitely home by two am, given the enthusiastic bedroom performance you two were giving me."
Amelia's head popped up; her mouth opened in horror. "Oh, God, youheardthat?"
"Heard it? I thought you were in the room with me."
Her face turned almost the same color as her hair. "Holy shit, this is so embarrassing. I'm so sorry!"
