“That was a ‘there’s something I’m not telling you because I’m still working it out in my head and it involves tongue’ face.”
I fidget with my sleeve. “It’s nothing.”
Her brows shoot up. “You kissed him, didn’t you?”
I go still. “Don’t change the subject. We’re talking about Carl.”
Maya slams her coffee on the table. “You kissed Nolan Rhodes and you didn’t tell me?”
“It wasn’t planned!” I hiss. “It just… happened. One minute we were drinking wine and then we ran into Quinn—and he’s fucking engaged by the way.”
“Engaged?”
“Yeah.”
She gapes at me. “Okay, we obviously have some communication issues we need to discuss, but we’ll save that for later. Right now…I’m still processing the fact that you made out with Nolan and didn’t tell me.”
I sigh.
Her eyes narrow. “And why the fuck are you even thinking about meeting Carl when you’re kissing Nolan Goddamn Rhodes.”
“Because Nolan is real,” I snap. “He’s flesh and blood and complicated and terrifying and not safe at all. Carl is safe. He’s a voice and a vibe. He makes me laugh. He doesn’t know how I look when I’m falling apart.”
I didn’t mean for that last part to slip out. Nolan doesn’t know me either. But he’s seen my cracks. That day at Stanfield I was split open.
“I need some answers, Rorie.”
“You and me both.”
Her face softens. “Look, as far as meeting your mystery texter…he’s safe…until he’s not. The second you start bending your own rules—no oversharing, no flirting—you give him the upper hand. It’s a slippery slope to heartbreak or homicide.”
“Geez, dramatic much?”
“The last time you gave someone too much access,heused it to hurt you and now he’s with—excuse me,engaged, I guess—to a girl who probably orders extra ranch with everything.”
“Exactly.” I bury my face in my hands. “But it’s not like I’m proposing to the guy. It’snice.He makes me feel like I’m not doing life wrong.”
Her expression softens, but only a fraction. “Be careful, okay? I swear, if I have to rescue you from a warehouse, I’m gonna bepissed.”
I laugh. “That won’t happen.”
“Mhm.” She shoots me a look. “And as far as Nolan goes?—”
“It was nothing,” I cut her off. “Just hormones, buried emotions and a little misplaced curiosity.”
Maya arches a brow. “Yeah? Then why are you blushing like a virgin?”
“Speaking of blushing like a virgin,” I say, shifting gears. “Haveyoutexted Asher?”
Maya’s cheeks go pink like a neon sign.
“Oh my god, youdid.”
Her groan could register on the Richter scale. “I hate you.”
“No, you love me. Your turn to spill.”
“Fine,” she huffs. “Wemayhave had drinks after the Four Leaf Hotel.”
