Lana opens her mouth to refuse, of that I have no doubt, but Char doesn’t give her the chance.
“Just think about it. I think you’ll find Maisie makes a much better friend than she does an enemy.” She throws me a wink, disappearing into the hallway moments later.
Awkward silence fills the room, tension so thick it feels almost hard to breathe.
I open my mouth to say something, close it, and then open it again, a million words sitting on the tip of my tongue.
“Did he really do what your friend said?” Lana asks after a long moment.
“Worse.” I lower myself into the chair Charlotte occupied just moments ago. “I really liked him. He’s the only guy I’ve ever met that I actuallywantedto date. That is, until he reminded me why I don’t date.”
“What did he do?” Her guard isn’t down, but she’s notlooking at me like she actively wants to beat me with the book she has clutched to her chest, so at least there’s that.
“Basically, what Char said in a nutshell. I was attracted to him the second I saw him. I had never met anyone so...”
“Mesmerizing.” She guesses.
“Something like that,” I agree. “We hit it off instantly. I won’t deny that I was completely enamored by him. Blind even. I was. He just had this way about him.”
“Trust me, I know.” She blows out a hard breath, her features softening.
“Anyway, we hooked up a few times and then that’s when he showed his true colors. He stopped vying for my attention. Stopped replying to my text messages. And then when I saw him at a party and went up to talk to him, he humiliated me in front of all his friends, saying something along the lines ofI think I’ve pity fucked you enough, don’t you? Now you just look pathetic.”
“He didn’t.” She clenches her book harder.
“The worst part was I really did like him.” I close my eyes for a brief moment. When I open them, I find Lana watching me. “What about you? What’s the story between you two?”
“We were high school sweethearts. He was a year ahead of me, but we stayed together while I finished my senior year of high school. Then I came here so that we could be together. He acted like he was happy about it, but I could tell something had changed. He wasdifferent. Then I saw you two together at that party and I realized why he was acting so strangely. Because he had moved on but hadn’t bothered to tell me about it.”
“I’m so sorry he did that to you.”
“I was devastated, of course. But I soon realized the boy I fell in love with was gone. College changed him. Hebecame cocky and cold-hearted. When I confronted him about seeing you two together, he basically laughed in my face.”
“What an asshole.”
“Yeah.” She sets the book on her desk before leaning forward slightly. “I’m sorry I blamed you. You’re just... Well, you’re everything I’m not, and I felt inferior to you. I see now that maybe I misjudged you.”
“It happens,” I admit. “Just know, I would have never hooked up with him if I had known about you. I may be a bit on the promiscuous side, I won’t deny that, but I’m not someone who would ever knowingly pursue or allow myself to be pursued by someone who isinvolved.” I pause for a brief moment. “Do you think maybe we could start over?” I ask, almost hopeful.
“I’d like that.” She smiles, and I’m struck by how much prettier she is when she’s not scowling at me.
“Good.” I smile back at her. “And about that party tomorrow. You really should come.”
“I avoid any place where I thinkhemight be.” She shakes her head.
“Which is your first mistake. Don’t give him that kind of power. Come with us. If he’s there, perhaps we can have a bit of fun.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Let’s see if he’s there first. I’m sure we can find creative ways to make him squirm.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her. “In the meantime, find something sexy to wear.” I push to stand.
“Where are you going?” she asks as I gather my things and head toward the door.
“I have a soccer meeting to get to, but I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
“Okay.”
I peel open the door and then turn back toward her.
