I chewed my food and swallowed. “It was a one-time thing.”
She brandished her fork like it was a sword. “Li-ar.”
“Fine. A kind of one-time thing. Two weeks ago, we slept with AJ.”
Runa let out a whoop. “You filthy little slut. How was it?”
I covered my face, peeking at her through my fingers. “Which time?”
“Both, duh?”
“It was . . .” I dropped my hands, shivering.
She let out a low whistle. “That good, huh?”
“Yes, but it’s not going to happen again. Theo thinks he’s got enough people to clear my debt.”
“But what if he’s wrong?”
“Thank you! That’s what I said.” I quickly caught her up on the rest of the night, including Theo’s prank, because, again, there were no secrets between us.
She laughed so hard afterward, I worried she might choke. “You have to see him again. You cannot let that man get away with something so diabolical.”
“Why would I see him when I’ve just gotten free?”
She sent me aDon’t be stupidlook. “Because you want to.”
The sound of running water cut off, and then I heard the shower door close and heavy footsteps padding in her bedroom. My mouth fell open. It hadn’t been the washing machine. There was someone else here. First thing in the morning.
I stared at her in accusation. “Is there amanin your bedroom, Ms. Lund?”
She dropped her gaze to the cake. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You fucking ho-bag. This whole time, I’ve been spilling my guts, and you were what? Justnotgoing to tell me your recovery is going so well because you’re being dicked back to health?”
Her eyes snapped to the closed bedroom door. “Will you keep your voice down?”
I rose from my seat. “It’s that hot nurse who ‘attached your electrodes,’” I said, using air quotes. “Isn’t it?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“One way to find out.” I backed up a step.
“Don’t you dare!” she whispered-shrieked.
I rushed toward the bedroom, reaching for the doorknob, threatening to open it.
“Fine! It’s him, okay?”
I paused for half a second, drawing out her panic, before shaking my head and returning to the couch. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her cheeks pinked.
“Ohhh,” I said. “You really like him, don’t you?”
“Yes, and I didn’t want to jinx it by talking about him.” Her expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry.”
“I get it,” I told her. Lord, did I get it. All she and I did was trauma-dump and talk shit about the entire world. If she’d tried to casually bring it up, I probably would have found some way to tease her or turn it into a joke. “I’m happy for you.”
