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“I don’t want Pogo to eat the junk food you’re dropping like breadcrumbs,” she said. “And if you want comfort, get off your butt and go talk to Joey.”

I searched my chest for dropped Cheetos, picking one up and popping it into my mouth. “Tried that. Didn’t work.”

“So you’re ready to give up after one conversation? Maybe Joey’s right to dump your ass.”

I pushed upright, another stray Cheeto falling into my lap. “I’m not giving up! I asked him to call me. He obviously doesn’t want to talk to me. I’m trying to respect his wishes. He needs time to think, he said.”

“Then stop wallowing like it’s over,” Dakota said shortly.

“Damn. Thanks for the sympathy,” I grumbled. “I remember when you were the one wallowing, and I was way nicer.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you comparing my losing the ability to walk with your moping over a boyfriend?”

“No,” I said quickly.

“Good. Because I’d have to really hurt you.”

“I know.” I dragged my hands through greasy hair. “I’m pathetic and dramatic.”

“You’re not pathetic,” she said, softening a little. “But you need to pull yourself together. Calling out at work? Lying around like your life is over? I’ve never seen you like this.”

“I’ve never fucked up this bad before,” I said. “It’s all my fault, you know? I should have told him how much I cared.”

“You know how much guilt Joey feels. He just needs to see that he’s really not hurting our relationship with Dad.”

“That would be easier if Dad wasn’t so stubborn.”

“No lie,” she said with a little laugh. “But he’s going to come around. I gave him Joey’s letter. I saw his face when he read it. He doesn’t want to admit it yet, maybe, but Joey’s words moved him.”

I sighed. “I don’t know if Joey will believe that. He obviously didn’t believe me when I said I loved him.”

“Well, you guys were mainly hookups, Kit. It’s not like you guys dated like real boyfriends.”

“It’s worse than that,” I admitted. “I told him I couldn’t ever forgive him. That it would never be anything real.”

“You told him that?”

Dakota’s tone gave away her disapproval. I couldn’t blame her. I wanted to kick my own ass.

“Weeks ago,” I said. “I thought it was true, but the more time I spent with him…”

Dakota shook her head. “You’re such an idiot. I could tell the first time I saw you both together that there was a spark there. How could you possibly not forgive him, Kit? You were already half in love with him.”

I winced. “No. We barely knew each other. I was just…attracted.”

She hummed, unconvinced. “I think it was more than that. But whatever you need to tell yourself.” She put her hands on her chair’s wheels. “I’ve got to get ready. I’m headed out with Felipe. Do yourself a favor and shower and dress. Don’t give up yet. Joey loves you. I know he does.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because he lights up for you,” she said simply. “Same as Felipe does for me.”

She wheeled away, calling a reluctant looking Pogo to follow. I flopped back onto the sofa and shoved another Cheeto into my mouth. I appreciated her attempts to give me hope, but until Joey talked to me, I was in limbo, waiting to see if I’d ruined the best thing to ever happen to me.

Dakota left for her date, warning me not to let Pogo eat my coping junk food and get sick. After twenty minutes spent fending him off, I finally gave up and got off the sofa. I cleaned up my orange disaster zone and tossed the mostly empty bag out so I wouldn’t be tempted to hoover up the crumbs with my mouth later.

My phone buzzed on the end table. I picked it up, heart jumping, but it wasn’t Joey.

Piper had messaged.