"Can't believe you thought I was into him." Her eyelids flutter open. She scrunches her nose gross.
"Yeah, wasn't like you two used to flirt nonstop." Ryan shakes his head you're ridiculous. He plants another kiss on his girlfriend's neck, then he turns to Chloe. "He treating you well?"
"Yeah. Surprisingly so," she says.
"Hey," I feign offense.
"Please. You're obnoxious on purpose." Her posture softens. Her voice eases. "You think it's adorable."
I bring my lips to her ear so I can stage whisper. "If you're gonna tell me you don't like it, I'm gonna check."
Her cheeks flush.
Iris laughs. "I have to admit. The Prince Albert thing—"
The door swings open. Brendon steps inside. His gaze goes right to Iris.
Then to me.
He raises a brow really. He's completely unmoved by my bullshit.
Kaylee, his now (finally) nineteen-year-old girlfriend, follows him into the room. Then to our bench.
She brushes her long blond hair behind her shoulder as she settles into her boyfriend's lap. "Dean, there's this idea in writing: less is more."
"Not following," I say.
"Maybe mention your dick less often. So it has more impact each time," she says.
"I get you. I'm making your boyfriend jealous," I tease.
She laughs. "Exactly. How did you figure it out?" She leans in to whisper in said boyfriend's ear.
He whispers something back.
Her cheeks flush.
She's not a blushing virgin anymore.
It was fun for a while, teasing Brendon about how much he wanted her. I pushed him so hard he bet me a hundred bucks she'd never been with anyone.
Asshole really thought I cared if his crush was fucking around.
I guess I did. Just not for the reasons he assumed. I wanted the two of them together.
Whether my friends believe it or not, I want them happy.
I do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Kay and Brendon made it, even if there was a lot of fallout on the path. His little sister, Kay's best friend, freaked about them getting together.
Right on cue, Emma steps through the door. She looks like she's headed to the clubs—dark hair in waves, makeup bringing out her dark eyes and red lips, tight dress, fuck me heels.
Brendon shoots her a really, you're wearing that look, but he keeps his lips zipped. They stay out of each other's business pretty well considering.
Emma surveys the room. Slowly, her gaze focuses on Chloe. "I knew you liked him." She turns to her brother. "Did you know?"
"Everyone knew," he says.