I blink. “I—what?”
She lets out a sigh before she rubs her forehead. Her shoulders sink in the same way they did when she was planning it. “I don’t care about this party. Or the speeches, orfuck, this stupid tiara.” She rips it off of her head. “I’m done with it. It’s taken over my life to the point that I really don’t even care about it. I’d honestly rather be home eating cake, but Mom hasto show off.”
“Quinn, areyouokay?”
“Obviously not. Mom’s been on a warpath, which isnotyour fault, but she’s a lot. Rob is a lot. And I wish they would just take five steps back and be normal. Or at least let me have a normal fucking birthday.”
“I didn’t know this wasn’t what you wanted. We should gettogether in a few days and do something more casual. Oh! What about a movie night? One where we actually finish the movie. I can bring cake.”
She gives me a half smile. “That would be nice. But I’d also like Nate to be there, and for you two notto be fighting.” She points between the two of us. “So. Tell me what the fuck is going on.”
“But—”
“Pleasedistract me from that out there,” she hisses. “Consider it my birthday request.”
Slowly, I look at Nate.
He shrugs. “It’s her birthday. You kinda have to do what she wants.”
“All right,” I say and take a deep breath. “Nate and I aren’t fighting.”
She rolls her eyes. “Do I also need to request that you don’t lie to me? I know something’s up. You calledmeyour best friend. While I love you and consideryoumy best friend, with you, that title’s always been for Nate.”
“Yeah, you really slipped up there,” Nate adds, and I don’t need to look at him to know he’s smirking.
“I was on the spot. In front of people. I was in a sensitive place.”
“You’re always in a sensitive place,” he replies.
“Keep that up and you’re sleeping on the couch.”
“All right. Shutting up now.”
I shake my head and focus on Quinn, who’s looking between us as if we’re a puzzle and one piece is missing.
“So, Nate and I are together.” It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud to someone whose opinion I care about, and it speeds up my heart rate. This is so new and so important to me. Saying it out loud to someone who could easily judge us isn’t easy.
“Together,” she repeats slowly. “Like working on a project together?”
Oh boy. Our years of insisting we were only friends hasn’t helped us out.
“N-no.”
“Roommates?” Her eyes go wide. “No way, are you moving in together? That makes so much sense. You’ll save so much money on bills!”
“We’re dating!” I rush to say. “Like actually dating.” She stares at us. “Quinn,” I say gently. “We’ve kissed. We’ve slept together. I’ve seen his pe?—”
“I’m gonna stop you right there, berry. I think she gets the message.”
“Oh. My. God.” Quinn starts it quietly. Then she grabs my shoulders. “You’redating? You and Nate?”
“Yes.”
She screams.“No way! Why didn’t you say that? Why didn’t you tattoo it on your forehead? This is great news!”
“I ... thought it would be more of a shock. And I have a feeling some wouldn’t take it very well.”
She sobers slightly. “Okay, fair. Mom doesnotneed to know about this one yet. But I do. And why did you two act like you were fighting?”
