My judgment must be written clearly on my face, because her cheeks bloom pink as her shoulders curl. “I know.” She tucks her phone into her back pocket. “I should have been listening, but my best friend… and I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
Ugh. Her concern for her friend tugs on my heartstrings. Stupid heartstrings. Maybe it’s because I don’t have anyone who looks after me like that, but I find myself softening toward her—but only a little.
Standing, I grab my bag and heft it onto my shoulder. “Two-thirty-eight through three-sixteen.”
“Ah!” she squeals as she flings herself from her seat and into my personal space. My entire body freezes as she wraps me in a hug. “Thank you so much!”
I shake off her hold and take a step back. Clearly this chick has no sense of boundaries. “Don’t make it a habit.”
“You’re kind of prickly. Like a cactus. But one of those ones that flower. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Nope.” I take a backward step, putting a little distance between us. “Just you.”
She beams, like I just told her she won free coffee for life. “Oh, I’m the first. Yay!”
“Right.” I move closer to the door. “I’m gonna—”
The little blonde ball of sunshine cuts me off before I can make my escape. “Do you want to get coffee?”
A small, teensy-tiny part of me wants to say yes, if only to have a friend. Instead, I shake my head and mumble out some lame excuse before turning and leaving.
My eyes burn with unshed tears as I tear down the hallway. But I know it’s better this way. If I never invite anyone into my life, my heart can’t get broken when they inevitably leave.
CHAPTER TWO
ORION
“I’m happy for you, man,” I say, clasping my roommate’s hand as I pull him into a one-armed hug. “You and Macy are the real deal.”
Ben nods as a smile curls his lips. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Y’all set a date yet?” He’s been talking about proposing to her for so long that it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they fast-tracked the wedding.
“I actually wanted to talk to you about that before the party starts.” He swallows roughly and tugs at his collar.
“Okay,” I drawl, leaning back against the kitchen island. “What’s up?”
Ben lowers his gaze and rubs at the back of his neck. “It’s just that…Macy and I…we think…”
Dread and disbelief pool in my gut. Even though I know what he’s going to say, I ask, “You and Macy think what?”
He straightens to his full height, squares his shoulders, and looks me in the eye, delivering the news like a man. “We think it would be best for you to move out before the wedding.”
I nod, frustrated but not truly mad with my business partner. I always knew our living arrangement was temporary, but from the minute he decided to pop the question to his longtime girlfriend, he assured me I’d have until the wedding to figure things out. “How long?”
A look of guilt flashes over his features as his gaze settles on something over my left shoulder. “Mace wants to start moving in tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” My disbelief gives way to anger. I totally understand the two lovebirds not wanting me to live with them—hell, I would feel the same if the roles were reversed. What I wouldn’t do is kick one of my best friends and business partner out of the house he poured his blood, sweat, and tears into renovating, with less than twenty-four hours notice.
I clench my fists and my jaw to keep from lashing out. “I see.”
“Do you?” he asks hopefully.
I’m torn between brushing this off and giving him a piece of my mind. I weigh the pros and cons as I stare him down, not entirely hating seeing him sweat. The jackass knows he’s wrong. And for the sake of our business, I’m going for honesty, because the last thing I want is for this to blow up later.
“Truthfully? No.” Ben starts trying to explain himself, but I don’t give him a chance to speak. “I get you and Macy wanting the house to yourselves, really, I do. No hard feelings there. But asking me to move out without any kind of notice is bullshit.”
He curses under his breath. “I know, man. I tried telling her—but her lease is up, and if she re-signs it—”
“Save it, man.” I shake my head. “For the sake of our business, I’ll let it go, but you and I both know what you’re doing is shitty.”
“Orion, please—”
“There’s nothing you can say, man. I love you like a brother and would do anything for you. It’s just a shame you couldn’t have even an ounce of consideration for me.” So much for letting it go.
Ben sighs. “I’m sorry. You have to know I—”