“Don’t you dare avoid the topic of conversation!”
“Fine!” I decide on a whim. “I’lltryto make a move on him next weekend.”
“Good. That’s all I ask.” Sutton falls back with a satisfied smile. “But also, what was that thing about him driving you? If you’re talking about the Aviation Global Forum, it’s taking place in Chicago, and that’s a twelve-hour drive. Flying would have been much easier.”
I avoid the elephant in the room by grabbing a handful of popcorn and throwing it in her direction. Sutton giggles, then does the same.
The girls still don’t know the entire story. Maybe one day they will, but for now, I guess it’s safe with Nate.
When the thought of it hits me again, saliva thickens in my throat.
Nate wants me as badly as I want him—the only difference between us is that while he’s determined to keep his word, I’m looking to break them. It might be a harder task than expected, but Sutton’s right—no one has ever regretted trying.
A rustle from the couch announces Evelyn’s awakening. She sits up, blond hair sticking out in every direction as she rubs her fists over her eyes. “Are we all set to continue playing?” she asks, stifling a yawn.
Sutton nods enthusiastically while all I can think about is my plan of action.
Seven more days until I see him again.
And I guess, seven more days until I see how this thing between us plays out.
CHAPTER 21
VIVIENNE
“All set for the road trip?” Sutton asks, poking her head through my bedroom door.
I freeze halfway through wrestling my overstuffed carry-on, only to be dismissed like this were a normal occurrence.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ve all been there,” the content creator assures with a shrug.
“Sutton meansshe’sbeen there…allwould be an overgeneralization,” Evelyn adds as she leans against the doorframe.
The comment earns her a side-eye. “That isnothow supportive friends talk to one another,” Sutton huffs.
“Supportive andrealfriends don’t lie,” Evelyn quips back.
“You’re right,” Sutton admits on a sigh. “It’s why I came here. Vivienne, with all due respect, my love, you’ve got massive bedhead, and are still in your pajamas while Nate’s waiting for you downstairs.”
My stomach drops at the realization that I’m late, and I run to the bathroom as both girls cackle their hearts out. Frombrushing my teeth to doing my hair and getting dressed, I’m walking back to my bedroom in nine minutes tops.
I freeze, unblinking when I catch Sutton suspiciously kicking at something under my bed while Evelyn closes my suitcase with a sharp zip.
“Do you think there’s going to be one bed?” Sutton fluffs my comforter, paying extra attention to where it meets the floor.
Evelyn dusts her hands with pride. “All we need is one room. If things go our way, no bed too big or too small is going to be a problem.”
My head tilts to the side, lips parting at the nonsense they’re spewing. “What are you guys talking about?”
Both girls jump at my intrusion, eyes wide like thieves caught stealing from a museum, and attempting to cover their tracks with cheap replicas.
“Are you excited for the conference?” Evelyn squeaks out the words nervously.
Sutton, on the other hand, recovers from her surprise quickly, expertly pulling the suitcase off my bed and rolling it in my direction. With an aggressive grip, she forces my hand around its handle and pushes me out.
“You’re all set to go! Now, I don’t recommend you step back in here. I’m pretty sure I saw a goose.”
My lips press into a thin line at the reminder of what happened that night. I was never going to live this down.
