My brows knit as disappointment bubbles to the surface.
Damn.
Me
Okay, thanks for letting me know.
I scowl as I slump back on the edge of the stage, glancing at Sabine’s text again. I mean, he couldn’t tell me thathimself, instead of having his friend who very obviously despises me do it?
His very attractive, glamorously French,femalefriend, who very obviously hates me.
I try to swallow back the sour taste of disappointment and feeling like I’m an afterthought before hopping off the stage and slumping into a front-row seat.
What am Idoingwith all of this when it comes tohim? It’s not that I’m being “forced” into it, and it’s not that I’m scared to disobey him, as much as I keep trying to convince myself otherwise.
Is it that I’m scared that he’s unlocked this darkness inside me that onlyhecan satisfy?
My phone vibrates in my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. This time, when I see the name flashing across the screen, I grin widely.
“Who are you and how did you get my brother’s phone?”
There’s a pause before Roman speaks. “What?”
I giggle. “Just assuming. Since when does my brother have time to call?”
Roman exhales and chuckles deeply. “Okay, I deserve that.”
“Sure do,” I tease.
“Sorry, Evie,” he groans. “I’ve just…fuck.” He puffs out another breath. “It’s a lot, being the guy at the top.”
“I bet,” I shrug, grinning. “Hey, want to trade? I can start running things, and you can learn toplié. You could spend all day with Val while he’s wearing tights.”
Roman laughs in his rumbly, deep way. “Sounds great.”
“Psych,” I giggle. “I havenofucking interest in taking your job.”
He goes silent for a second.
“Huh. That’s new.”
I frown. “What is?”
“You swearing,” he chuckles. “I’m honestly not sure I’ve ever heard you drop an F-bomb.”
I snort. “Please. I’m notthatmuch of a prude.”
“Uhh… You actually are.”
“Ha ha ha,” I mutter with a smile as he laughs. “So, what’s up?”
“What, I can’t just call my little sister to chat?”
“You one hundred percent can, but you literally never do.”
He sighs. “We doliveunder the same roof.”
“And yet, we never cross paths at home,” I say pointedly.
