Page 21 of Everything She Wanted

I notice that Lucy is holding a book close to her chest, and I know just which one it is.

“Is that The Alchemist?” I ask her.

She beams at me with her radiant smile. “Yes, it’s my favourite. I’ve read it like a hundred times.”

“Me too.” I smile at her.

“This is like her third copy,” Nick adds affectionately.

“You can never have enough books, am I right?” she says.

“Agreed,” I say, relaxing. “Have you checked out Perfect Match Bookshop yet?” I’m so excited to meet another booklover that conversation flows effortlessly now.

“No, I haven’t even heard of it.”

“They just opened and specialize in romance books.” I remember Nick is there, and immediately cringe. Why am I talking about this?

“Sounds amazing,” she says.

No one seems to notice my embarrassment.

“Count me out for that one.” Nick laughs while Lucy playfully shoves him in the stomach.

He checks his phone. “We’d better get going if we want to make the four o’clock ferry.” He pauses before adding, “Lucy’s taking design at UVic,” he says with pride.

“I love it,” Lucy says.

“It was nice to see you, Nisha, and to meet you, Rachel,” Nick says, looking at us both. His eyes linger on mine for a beat too long.

“Great to meet you both, too,” Lucy adds as they walk off.

“Thanks for stopping by,” I say.

Thanks for stopping by? Why is it so hard to act cool around him?

His sister looks back and smiles at us on her way out.

“He seems nice.” Rachel wiggles her eyebrows at me suggestively, like I don’t have a boyfriend.

“He’s a great colleague,” I say without any emotion.

“Right.” She sees through my lies but doesn’t press me. “Are you going to fill me in on why you were so upset in class today?”

I explain, choosing details selectively. My whole life feels like an Instagram feed these days, and here I am, choosing which filter to apply. I want to be real, but not too much, like the natural filter that makes my skin a little smoother and my lips a little plumper than they actually are.

“Shaan didn’t like the picture I posted with the basketball boys,” I share.

“His jealousy is over the top.” She can’t hide her distaste. “Those guys weren’t even touching you.”

I don’t know what level of jealousy is normal, never having been in a long-term relationship, but sometimes I don’t feel like it’s a bad thing—it makes me feel like I matter, and he’s just being protective of me.

Rachel chews on her lip.

“I don’t know how you put up with him,” she continues.

“Put up with him?” I try to hide my irritation. It hurts to hear her speak to me this way. This is why I don’t tell her stuff.

“Put up with him making you feel bad over nothing. I’ve seen his Stories. He’s always posting photos with other girls.” She shakes her head. “Such a double standard.”