Marco leveled me with a glare.I surrendered with a heavy sigh.“It’s Emmett.I think...I think I’m developing feelings for him.”
“Callie!I told you to fuck him, but I specifically recall telling younotto develop feelings for him.That’s asking for trouble.”
“I know, I know.”I buried my face in my hands.“Believe me, I’ve told myself the same thing a million times.There’s just something about him that I can’t shake.”
“So, you went and caught feelings.Awesome.Did you at least get to fuck him?”
“Marco!No.”
“Your priorities are so fucked, my friend.”
“You’re the worst.”
He relented, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.“Okay, okay.In all seriousness, I get it.He’s charming, successful, and hot as shit.But you’ve worked too hard to let him screw this internship up for you.”
“Ugh, I know.That’s what makes this so hard.When I’m with him, it’s like everything else fades away.He makes me feel seen.No one has ever made me feel that way before.”
“Shit.That’s, like, epic love poem shit.I think we’ve moved well pastdeveloping feelingsand straight on intofalling in love.”
Panic welled up inside me and my throat constricted.“I amnotin love with him.”
“Sure, you’re not.”Marco pulled me into a hug, his chin resting atop my head.“I’m worried you’re setting yourself up for heartbreak, Cal.Though whether it will be over the job or the man, I’m not sure.”
My phone buzzed, and Marco released me.I checked the message and smiled.“Meghan’s inviting us to a library fundraiser next week.Do you want to come with me?”
“Meghan, like Meghan Price, Emmett’s sister?”
“That’s the one.”
“You two friends now?”
“I don’t know if we’refriends, but we’re friendly.Anyway, it’s an excuse to get dressed up and drink free booze.”
“Well, when you put it that way, how could I say no?When is it?”
I cringed as I read Meghan’s follow up text.“Valentine’s Day.”
“Ooof.”Marco crinkled his nose.He hated Valentine’s Day.
I gave him a sad smile.“I can go alone.It’s fine.”
“Oh, stop.I’m teasing.I would love to be your non-date date.We’ll have fun.”
“Don’t you want to spend Valentine’s Day with Trevor?”
Marco waved off my comment.“No, we broke up.”
“What?Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Not a big deal.It wasn’t going anywhere.So I’m all yours for the swanky Valentine’s Day party.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive, babe.”He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side before refocusing his attention on the movie.“Natalie Portman is a fucking fox.”
“Agreed.”
To my relief, the rest of the evening passed with no more talk of Emmett.
