So, I tell her. Not every detail because some things are strictly a need to know, but I do tell her enough. I tell her about Lorcan and using Amber to blackmail me. About the laptop and the file and Cormac finding out.
By the time I’m done, my hot chocolate is cold, and Zoe is speechless for the first time in her life. “How…” she says slowly. “Have you been carrying all of that by yourself?”
I shrug. “I didn’t know how not to.”
Zoe reaches across the couch and takes my hand, squeezing it hard.
“What kind of best friend am I if you went through all of this without me even knowing?”
“The best kind. The kind who would have been in danger if she did know.”
Zoe swallows, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Oh jeez, now you’re going to make me ruin my makeup. I’m going to sue Ciara for not telling me to wear waterproof mascara.”
I huff a laugh.
“In all seriousness, though, Fi, you can’t do that anymore. You can’t keep life-changing secrets like this from me. We’re best friends, till death do us part, remember?”
She has no idea how true that might be.
“I promise.”
We sit in silence for a moment, then she tilts her head.
“And not to bring up Satan himself, but what about Cormac? I mean, the last thing I heard, you were casually banging the guy, but somehow I don’t think secretly working for his murder-loving uncle is going to get you a Valentine’s card.”
“Not exactly…” I sigh. “Look, I know this is going to sound insane?—”
“Trust me, I think I’m used to insane.”
“I love him, Zo. And I hate what I did to him. I hate that Ihurthim, and I would do anything to change it. But I don’t think he’ll let me.”
Zoe watches me closely. “You think he’s done with you?”
“I think… that some things break in ways you can’t fix.”
“This is all still raw for him. He’s angry and probably terrified. Just…give him time.”
I blink back tears as I look at Zoe. “I don’t think time is on my side.”
“I think you’ve inherited my flair for the dramatics through osmosis,” Zoe teases, trying to lighten the mood.
“Look, I know I don’t know this Cormac guy like,at all, but I do know you, and I know that you are an incredible judge of character. Case in point.” She flicks her pink ponytail and grins.“And I know you would never fall in love with a guy who wasn’t worth fighting for.”
“I hope you’re right,” I mumble.
“I’m always right. Now, how do we get Elena to bring us martinis?”
We talk about lighter things after that, mostly Zoe’s dramatic love life. In those few hours we spend outside, away from all the chaos and noise that is life in the Sullivan house, I laugh more than I have in days. It makes me feel almost normal.
But all too soon, Zoe checks the time, and we realize we’ve been sitting outside for hours, and the sun is on the verge of setting.
“I should go,” she says reluctantly. “You know I hate driving in the city in the dark.”
As I walk Zoe to her car, the sound of the gates opening and the crunch of tires on gravel cuts through the silence.
My spine stiffens at the sight of Cormac stepping out of the car.
He slings his jacket over his shoulder as his eyes scan his surroundings. But the moment his eyes lock on Zoe, he freezes. Surprise flashes across his face first, then suspicion, and then something much, much colder.
