Page 59 of Under Her

“Number two in the world. Have you ever used it?” I ask her.

“No! Of course not.” Her defensive words and tone tell me that she has.

I feel a flash of jealousy at the thought of Morgan going on a date and possibly fucking some dickhead at the building that my buddy owns.

I grit my teeth, my hand tightening around my beer bottle.

When I feel a little calmer, I say, “What about you? You still friends with those girls you hung out with at Northwestern…” I click my fingers, trying to remember their names.

“Joely. And Hannah,” she says.

“Yeah, right. Joely was the one with short, dark hair, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And Hannah…did she have blonde hair?”

“No. Red.”

“Close.” I chuckle.

But she doesn’t laugh back. So, I look at her, and it’s like a dark cloud has settled over her once-serene face.

Surely, she’s not pissed because I didn’t remember her friend Hannah properly.

“Do you still see them?” I ask.

“Joely. But not Hannah.” She stands abruptly, yanking my eyes up with her. “I’m gonna go to bed.”

“Oh. Right. Okay.” I get to my feet.

“Thanks for the beer.” She doesn’t look at me.

And the good feeling that I’ve had all night disintegrates.

“Anytime,” I say.

“Well”—she takes a step away from me, her voice sounding stiff—“good night, Wilder.”

“Sleep well,” I tell her.

I watch her walk back into her bungalow, the door closing behind her, shutting me out. And I stand here, confused as to how me not remembering the color of her friend’s hair could piss her off so much.

Morgan

Twelve Years Ago

I’m back for my second year at Northwestern.

I spent the summer at home, working for Starbucks there. I was lucky to get a transfer, and I took on a second job at the place where my mom worked, helping reception.

It was good to be home and spend some quality time with my parents. And, of course, Joely was home, too, so we got to hang out, one-on-one, which hadn’t happened in a while.

Not that I don’t like Joely’s roommate, Hannah, because I really do. She’s lovely. We’re all rooming together this year. We’ve got an apartment close to campus. But, growing up, it’s always been me and Joely, so it was awesome for it to just be me and her.

And, honestly, I think the break away has done me a world of good.

I’m actually over my crush on Wilder.