Page 178

Ashley reappears from the kitchen with a mug of tea. She leans against the doorway instead of leaving.

Sydney winces. “Oh, babe.”

“I was going to do it,” I say. “I am going to do it.”

“When?” Gianna asks.

It should have been before I let Callum kiss me, before I slept with him.

“After the MCAT,” I say.

Gianna’s face stays static, which is how I know she disapproves.

“Ok, fine. Maybe sooner.”

Gianna picks up the popcorn bowl again, satisfied enough to let it go for now. “Okay. So. You’re dating him.”

I breathe out, grateful for the subject change even though the subject is not remotely safer.

“Yes.”

“And he’s in LA right now?” Sydney asks.

“Yes. Meetings. Band stuff.”

“Cool.”

Sydney reaches over and squeezes my ankle. “He really likes you, you know.”

I huff. “You’ve not seen us together much.”

“I know love when I see it.”

“You thought our landlord was in love with you because he made one phone call about bees.”

“In my defense, he did make that phone call with great sexual tension.”

“He was calling pest control.”

“Exactly.” She swoons. “Protector energy.”

I laugh despite myself.

My phone is on the coffee table, face-down beside the flashcards. I turn it over, mostly to check the time, partly because I am weak and Cal has been texting between meetings all day, and every time his name appears, my stomach flips a few times like I’m a teenager with a crush.

No new messages.

Fine. Good. Healthy, even.

I put the phone down.

Sydney glances at her phone, still grinning.

Quickly, the grin disappears, and her mouth drops open.

Gianna sees her face and sits up. “What?”

Sydney doesn’t answer.