That’s the thing about Paige—she knows exactly which insecurities to exploit, which soft spots to target with surgical precision, leaving the kind of wounds that sting long after the initial attack.
I nudge his shoulder with mine. “Look, we’ve all fallen for someone we shouldn’t have. Remember when I believed Jake Sullivan wanted to study together last year, and it turned out he just wanted to copy my history notes?”
A hint of a smile flickers across Ian’s face.
“And Steph,” I continue, turning to my still-fuming best friend, “remember when you were convinced Dylan from summer camp was writing you those anonymous love notes, but it was actually his sister playing a prank?”
Reluctantly, Stephanie uncrosses her arms, a sigh escaping her lips like air from a deflating balloon. “Fine. I guess it’s not entirely your fault, Ian.” She levels a pointed finger at him. “But if you ever fall for Paige’s act again, I will make you regret it.”
Ian’s head snaps up, eyes brightening with hope. “So, we’re good? You don’t hate me?”
“I never said that.” Stephanie relaxes her confrontational stance. “You’re on probation. And you owe Chrissy big time.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you both. Name it, and it’s done.”
Finally, the tension between us eases. This is how it should be—the three of us against the world, not at each other’s throats.
“It’s done. It’s all behind us now.” I glance between my friends, shooting them a look that hopefully conveys they have no choice but to accept it as such.
Stephanie rolls her eyes, but there’s a reluctant smile playing on her lips. “I suppose. But next time Paige bats her eyelashes, remember this moment, Ian.”
He nods vigorously. “Lesson learned. Trust me.”
“Good. Because dealing with Paige on a daily basis is hard enough without my best friends fighting with each other. She is another level of difficult.”
And speaking of difficult . . . I glance at the hallway clock. Chemistry class is coming up, and with it, the inevitability of running into Theo. I need to lay low and not make a scene.
The bell rings, and I stand near the classroom doorway, delaying my entry until everyone is seated.
When the coast is clear, I quickly enter and take my seat in the back, dropping my backpack onto the floor.
As soon as I settle in, I catch Theo winking at me from across the room. I scold him silently. If Paige sees him doing that, our cover’s blown.
It takes every ounce of energy not to look at him for the rest of the class. As soon as the bell rings, I grab my things and bolt out the door faster than a cheetah chasing its prey.
In History, Stephanie and I huddle in the back, our heads low as we try to talk without getting caught. But it’s hard to keep a straight face with her grinning at me like that.
“How are things with Theo, hmm?”
I give her a look. “There are nothings, Steph.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that. You’re living with him, Chrissy. If I were you, I’d be asking if he needs me to do his laundry.”
“You’re impossible,” I sputter, my head shaking.
“Don’t tell me you’re not even remotely curious about him and that irresistible appeal.”
“Nope,” I lie, knowing I sound about as convincing as a cat trying to bark.
“Uh-huh, sure,” she says, not buying it for a second. “Fine, play it your way. But mark my words—living with him is going to be interesting. Imagine all those . . .accidentalencounters.“ She sighs. “Some people have all the luck.”
“Yeah, right.” I’ll make sure there are no more accidents between us. “And what am I supposed to do about Paige?”
Stephanie shrugs. “Pretend she doesn’t exist?”
“And if she finds out?”
She pauses, looking a bit more serious now. “Okay, fine, that would complicate things a bit.”
