I feel the blood drain from my face.
“Everything okay?” Miles asks.
When I look at him, he seems concerned.
“Yeah, it’s just a friend.” I pop a strawberry into my mouth, stopping myself from sharing any more details.
I’ve been so wrapped up in work lately that I completely forgot about Easton—and his proposal.
I make a mental note to text him once I’m back on the road to Charlotte. It’s probably better to meet up soon rather than later and tell him I can’t help him this time.
Once we finish eating, I help Miles clean up the kitchen despite his multiple attempts to make me sit down while he handles everything.
Then I grab my stuff and say goodbye.
From the doorway.
Because I don’t trust myself to give him only a hug.
Bad Bitches of Azalea Creek — Group Chat
Penny: Happy Sunday, everyone. I thought I’d let you know before the town’s gossip mill ruins myreputation.
I love being a drama queen. And I love even more that after the girls came over to my apartment the other day, they officially added me to the group chat.
Penny: Friday night, I decided to drive home despite multiple people offering me a place to pass the storm.
Ruin: Penny! I was worried sick! What happened?
Rain: I haven’t heard a peep. Clearly I need to hire staff more committed to the town’s communications web.
Penny: After a few minutes driving on the highway, I lost control of the car and ended up in a snow bank.
Carly: What the actual fuck? You could have stayed with us.
Penny: It’s okay guys. I’m okay! That’s why I figuredI’d text.
Penny: I called Miles and he picked me up. He took me to his place, made me dinner and offered me his guest room. Saturday morning he went and got my car out of the snow. I came home right away.
Ruin: Gio could have picked you up.
Penny: I love you Ruin. God knows I do. But Gio’s a dad. I wasn’t about to ask him to risk getting on the road to pick me up.
Rain: We all know you’re a stubborn bitch… what we want to know is what happened with Miles??? Just in general, no dirty details please… he’s my brother after all.
I burst out laughing at Rain’s text. No one could ever accuse that woman of being subtle.
Penny: Nothing happened.
I smile at the dancing dots on my screen. I can already imagine what they’re about to say—and honestly, they’re probably right. If we were FaceTiming right now, I’d be blushing so hard there’d be no hiding that I’m lying.
Carly: You can’t bullshit a bullshitter, dear. There’s no way you were in the same house with that man and nothing happened.
Ruin: Not even a kiss? That’s sad.
Rain: My brother has never given a rat’s ass about anyone besides our family. The fact that he went to pick you up tells me more than you’re letting on. *EyesEmoji*
Daisy: Sorry ladies, just catching up. Penny, we might not know each other well but even I know you’re not telling us everything.
