“Why the hell not?”
“Because, Paige!”
She shakes her head like she doesn’t get it.
With a groan, I slump back in the chair. I’m tired of repeating the same thing over and over again. “I don’t fall in love. Especially not with Rafael Gray.”
She waves me off. “You’ve been in love with Rafael Gray for half of your life.”
“That was before—” I clamp my lips shut, but she knows. Before my parents died. Before my grandparents dumped me, beforeQuentin and I broke up, before my brother vanished from my life. Before alotof things happened. “He’s never been interested, Paige. And now I’m supposed to believe he’s head over heels for me?”
She blinks. “Five years ago. Hemaybewasn’t into you fiveyearsago.”
“He also said that thing about how he’strouble.” When she drops her forehead to the table, I insist, “Seriously, who says that? It’s crazy.”
“No. Fighting so hard against something that’s clearly meant to be—that’scrazy.”
“I don’t believe in destiny.”
“So how do you explain him being at the only party you’ve been at in years?”
“Easy,” I say, then take a sip of cappuccino. “Small-town life.”
“And what the psychic said?”
Oh, for Chrissake. “She’s apsychic.” When her brown eyes pin me in place as if my rebuttal is somehow not valid, I offer, “She also said Gray has a black heart.”
With an eye roll, she blows on her coffee. “Just tell me last night wasn’t the most fun you’ve ever had with a man, and I’ll let this go.”
I pause. I can’t do that, can I?
Last night was effortless. Like hanging out with a friend, but with a spark of unprecedented excitement. He knew exactly when to fill the silence and when to let me marinate in my thoughts. He didn’t press too hard, didn’t try to impress me with over-the-top antics or charm. Instead, he justwas. And somehow that was enough. More than enough.
“Youdolike him!” Paige practically shouts as she kicks her feet under the table.
“Shh.” The smile grows despite my attempts to contain it. “I…”
“I knew it! I just knew it!”
“Seriously—shh!” I hiss, casting a glance around. I catch Quentin’s eyes again. “I’m not saying I like him, Paige. He’s just…”
The guy who got into fights, but only with bullies. The guy who always carried food around for the stray dog that used to hang around outside school, who actually bothered talking to the weird janitor everyone avoided. Yes, he liked to break the rules, but there was so much more to him, and there still is.
“Different,” I mumble. He’s unlike anyone else I’ve ever met.
“I’ll take it.” She leans forward, her expression triumphant. “Rafael Gray. Who would have thought, after all this time?”
Not me. That was a closed chapter in my mind. In fact, it’s been years since I thought about him last. Well, maybe months. Or weeks.
“Who knows, maybe this’ll inspire your upcoming romance adventure.”
’Cause there’s nothing more romantic than a guy rejecting youtwice. “Don’t even remind me of that. Celeste will be expecting a script soon.”
She barely acknowledges me. “When are you seeing him?”
“I don’t know.” I run my finger along the rim of my coffee cup, tracing the foam left behind. “I guess our paths are bound to cross—you know, since we’re neighbors.”
“Secret identity remains anunparalleledtrope,” she says, pulling her curls back. “Nothing like a little mystery to start off an epic love story.”
