That dread is back. Swirling. A rope around my neck that’s tightening by the second.
Stopping beside them, Thea turns to me.
“Where is she?” I ask, tone slightly harsher than I intended.
“Restroom,” Thea replies, not picking up on it, but I know Tripp did by the scowl he’s throwing my way. “She’ll be back in a minute.”
I look toward the area where the bathrooms are as if she’ll appear any second now.
“Calm down, caveman,” Thea laughs, but no part of me is amused.
Something is wrong.
I feel it.
Sidney finally appears, and her eyes find mine from across the room, but there isn’t any warmth looking back at me.
It’s just pain.
Chapter Twenty-six
“Give me a sec,” I say to Thea, glancing quickly to where Noah is with some older guy, “I just need to use the bathroom.”
“Sure!” Thea puts her glass down. “Want me to come?”
I laugh, “No, I just gotta pee really quick. I’ll be back.”
I hop down off my stool and weave through the crowd, slipping into the ladies’ room and embrace the quiet inside. These things are always loud and crowded, but it’s for Noah, so we endure. Making quick work of my business, I get my dress back in place and step out of the cubicle, stopping abruptly when I seeLauren is standing at the sink, her arms crossed over her chest, clearly waiting for me.
“And to think it could have been different for you,” she cocks her head to the side, a stray tendril of hair slipping out from behind her ear.
“What are you talking about?”
“It took me a minute to figure it out,” she continues, like I have any idea what she’s talking about. There’s no warmth in her face, no kindness. It’s all calculation, a cold determination to harm. “But talking to Isaac made me piece it together.”
Moving to the sink beside her, I turn on the faucet and begin to wash my hands, pretending I’m not even remotely interested in what she has to say. I am so over her bitchiness. There’s just no need for it.
“I see it now, though. Noah’s been in love with you for a long time.” She says, her eyes burning into the side of my face, “And here you are, flaunting your dates and the revolving door of men in your life in his face. He deserves better, you know.”
Her words are barbs that stab into my flesh.
“I have a question.” She goes on.
Pulling a towel from the folded pile, I dry my hands and turn to her, hoping to end this once and for all. “What?”
“If Noah hadn’t fucked with Isaac’s number, would you have dated him?”
My brain stutters as her words register. “What did you say?”
“I asked if you would have dated him.”
“No, before that.”
Her brows twitch in confusion, but then lift, “Noah fucked with his number in your phone.”
“You’re lying.”
A smirk lifts her painted lips. “Am I?”
