“Oh. Hey there.”
“Hey.” Her smile’s faint, off. “Is there a cheese slice? Not in a toppings mood.”
“Yes, of course,” my mom says, already reaching. But her eyes? They’re on me. And they areblazing.
I force a smile. Faith grabs a plate. But I swear I see it—that flicker in her eyes like maybe, just maybe, shedidhear me.
And now I’m wondering which one of us is going to break first.
32
FAITH
“Just a casual summer fling. So I guess that’s what it is.”
The words drift through the kitchen like smoke. I stop in my tracks for half a second—just long enough to feel them land in the center of my chest.
I step into the room, smile stitched on like armor.
“Oh. Hey there.”
I manage it, somehow.
“Hey,” I say, too breezy, too light. “Is there a cheese slice? Not in a toppings mood.”
Margot, bless her, doesn’t miss a beat. “Of course, honey. Help yourself.”
I sit down next to Daphne, grab a plate, and take a bite, even though I can’t taste anything. My heart is hammering. My head’s starting to spin.
Just a fling?
Is that what I’ve been to him this whole time?
We slept together in my bed. In my shower. He held my hand while I told him things I haven’t even said out loud to April.
He looks at me now—like he’s trying to read me. But I don’t give him anything. I keep chewing, nodding at something Daphne says, keeping my eyes on my slice.
But I can feel it—Margot watching me, Daphne’s subtle glance, Hunter’s gaze like it’sburning.
“Faith?” Margot finally asks. “You okay?”
I glance up, swallow hard. Smile.
“Yeah. Just tired, I guess.”
Daphne shifts in her seat. “Yeah, yesterday kind of wiped me too. You sure you’re good?”
I nod again. “Yup. Just thinking.”
Hunter’s quiet now too.
But I’m not thinking.
I’m spiraling.
Because I didn’t think this was forever. I didn’t even think this was love. But Ithoughtit meant something.
And now?
