Asher shifts beside me. "Lottie, we didn't plan-"
"Stop." She doesn't look at him. "Please. Just stop."
"The worst part is," she adds quietly, "Ineededyou. I was going to-" she stops, eyes flicking to Asher. "I would've come to you. If it was the other way around."
My breath catches. "Charlotte, I swear. We didn't mean for this-"
"It doesn't matter what you meant. I thought you were my friend first?" She reaches back blindly for the door and slips back out.
"I am."
"Friends don't lie to each other."
"Charlotte?"
She steps back towards the door.
"Charlie-" Asher starts but she shakes her head.
She slips out the door, the click of it echoing behind her feeling way too final.
I sag back into Asher's arms, an ache settling in my chest and moving up my throat, my own tears spilling down my cheeks.
"Asher?"
"We'll figure it out, just give her time."
"She hates me."
"She's just upset."
"We've never fought."
He brushes his thumb across my cheek.
"Then this won't break you."
I want to believe him.
I'm not sure I do.
Chapter 32
Tip thirty-two; only do what you're comfortable with.
Ivy
Leon is halfway through recounting the third period when I tune back in.
"-and I'm telling you, they were watching. Like actually watching," he says, shoving a forkful of eggs into his mouth before pointing the utensil at Justin. "You saw them."
Justin leans back in his chair, coffee in hand. "I saw two guys in suits."
"Scouts," Leon corrects immediately. "Don't downplay it."
Justin hums noncommittally.
I sit at the table with a piece of toast in front of me, untouched.
