Sorry, but do you expect me to believe this?
Me
It’s the truth.
Clara
I don’t doubt that it is. All I’m saying is, you could’ve stayed at your parents’, no?
I turn on my heel, heading for the bedroom so I can set Blake down in her bassinet. Then I take a seat on the edge of the bed. The only light in the apartment is the one filtering down the hallway from the living room floor lamp. Shrugging off my robe, I take in Emmett’s closed bedroom door.
Me
He’s my friend, but I can’t deny that there’s something between us. We’ve spent a lot of time together since I got back from Austin.
Clara
Have you guys spoken about it?
Me
Sort of. It’s pointless though because nothing could ever happen, even if we wanted it to.
Clara
Because of his friendship with your dad?
…
Me
That and other complications. Including the fact that he’s fourteen years older than me.
Clara
Shit. Billie, are you asking me for permission to fuck your dad’s best friend?
When light suddenly shines beneath Emmett’s bedroom door, my heart thumps in my chest.
Me
I don’t know what I’m asking for.
Clara
Well, I’ll tell you what you’re asking for instead then. Trouble. Your whole world just got turned upside down at the hands of a prick who, by the way, just broke it off with Rachael, saying that he wanted to “make the most of” his final semester. Ugh.
Me
I don’t care about Tucker.
Clara
Good. But let his memory be a lesson in men. You’re hot, and this guy is much older. The chances are, he wants to bang you to prove a point to himself.
I shake my head at Clara’s last text, and my regret over bringing this up with her grows stronger.
Me
