“Of course.”
“Anyway, that’s not my point,” she said, breathing deep. “My point is James decided last minute he doesn’t want to be my plus one anymore. Kind of how he did with the gala.”
I waited.
“I didn’t want to go alone,” she said, eyes still down. “It feels stupid to care, but I do. I thought… it would be nice to show up with him. Surgeon boyfriend. Proof that I’d done fine.”
“Spite is a powerful motivator,” I said.
She glanced up briefly. “You get it.”
“I’m not as good as I am because of raw talent, that’s for sure.”
That earned a laugh, and something about her seemed lighter.
“I spent years getting picked apart by the same girls,” she said. “Clothes, grades, everything. I thought walking in there with someone impressive would shut them up.”
“What’s his excuse?” I couldn’t help myself. I already hated this guy, and I had no business fishing for more reasons to want to kick his ass. But here I was.
Nicole shrugged, and settled back against the wall. “There was no excuse, I guess. He doesn’t like parties.”
“Well, that’s his loss. You went to the gala by yourself, and you had a great night. He can’t ruin your reunion either.”
“That was different.” She kept her eyes glued to the tip of the shoelace she’d been picking at.
“How?”
“You were there.”
It was a simple admission, no fanfare, but the words settled between us heavier than ever. That’s when the idea formed, and I felt it in my chest first before becoming aware of its shape in my head. It was warm, easy, and there was no stopping it.
I reached out and touched her cheek so she’d look at me. When she turned, her eyes had lost that tired look. They shone so bright I had to take a second to gather myself.
“Would you be okay,” I asked, “showing up with a hockey player instead? I’m no surgical resident, but—”
The lights snapped on, and the elevator shuddered hard, then lurched into motion. I jumped to my feet, leaving my stomach on the floor as I helped Nicole up too. Her eyes were wide, but she didn’t say anything.
And when the doors slid open onto a bright, bustling hallway filled with voices and rushing feet, she got off without a word.
“Did you hear what I—?”
“I heard you,” she said, pausing her getaway long enough to look back.
I was still rooted to the spot, one hand holding the elevator door to make sure it didn’t close on me before I got my answer.
“And?”
A slow smile flirted with the corners of her mouth, and she gave a small nod. “And, yes. I don’t mind showing up with a hockey player instead.”
15
Nicole
The Uber pulled up in front of the gym at Travis Ridge High and rolled to a stop beneath a banner that readWelcome Back Class of 2019. I stared at the familiar brick facade through the window, my reflection floating over it, red dress vivid against the dark glass.
“So this is where it all happened, huh?” Landon craned his neck to take it in. “Looks smaller than I expected.”
“Everything does,” I said, reaching for the door handle. “Memory has horrible scale.”
