Page 107 of Say It Isn't So

Bianca

How could he do this to me? To us? And the horse’s ass that he was couldn’t even let me be mad at him. I mean, how could I be? He was literally doing this all for me. For me and my relationship with my dad.

This was why I wanted to be with Knox.

I deserved to be with a man like him, didn’t I?

Did I always have to be with the slimy self-serving men of the world? Why couldn’t I for once just be with a man like Knox?

This only made me more furious with Dad because he couldn’t see that he was practically tearing me away from a man I deserved. He just didn’t know it yet.

I inhaled and couldn’t seem to get enough of his woodsy scent I loved so much. I should enjoy it, right? Because it could very well be the last time I was this close to him.

Wait!I stopped crying for a second and stared blankly in the direction of the front door. So maybe he wouldn’t entertain the thought of us being together. Now. But I wasn’t giving up. That was it—I was going to crack him if it was the last thing I did.

Because whether or not Dad liked it, I wasn’t letting Knox slip through my fingers. He could be my forever and I did not have stupid written on my forehead. My job wasn’t really a loss. My dad? Also not a loss because, technically, one day we could repair our relationship. I mean, that day wouldn’t be today, or even tomorrow, but, in time, it could happen. But Knox. . . nowthatwould be a loss. And I wasn’t going to lose him, not now, not when it was within my control.

That was it! I lit up at the idea that was quickly taking form in my mind.

You want to be the good guy, Knox, then I’m going to do what I do best and be the bad girl and push your buttons, because it’s us. I’m so certain of it.

And I didn’t need to live here to do that.

* * *

Knox

Whenshe was done, she lifted her head and sucked in as she backed up enough for us to look into each other’s eyes. “So what now?” she asked. “I should probably get out of your hair and find someplace else to stay. Layla is coming home soon, maybe I can crash with her.”

I remembered Layla—she was Bianca’s best friend. We hadn’t met many times before so I didn’t know much about her, but she was always nice to me. A little on the wild side, if you asked me, but then again so was Bianca. “Where is Layla? Is she on vacation or something?”

She nodded. “Something like that. Well, she’ll probably say it wasn’t a vacation at all, but basically her boyfriend took her to Rancho La Puerta in Mexico. It’s a digital detox destination. No phones, no laptops, no way to communicate with the outside world.”

“Sounds like a nightmare.”

“I agree.”

“Layla or no Layla, though, you’re more than welcome to stay. I meant it when I said I’d always be there for you. Just more as friends now.”

She raised a brow and chuckled. “You think it’s wise for me to stay here?”

I shrugged. “I can be good, if you can.”

She leaned in and her confidence re-emerged as she whispered, “I thought I told you once before, Knox. I’m anything but a good girl.”

I chuckled, backing up, a hand on the back of my head, slightly afraid by the notion that I’d just let her stay here. See, I was getting the distinct feeling it’d make for the greatest challenge of my life.

She wiped her cheeks dry with the palms of her hands and grinned. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Thank you for letting me stay.”

“Sure.” And I’d promised to tell her everything that was going on, so I didn’t go back on that. I told her everything that transpired between Rina and I next. I ended with: “I actually think it’s for the best that Rina and I take this time to sort things out and see if there’s a possibility for a future there. Plus, it takes the pressure off of there being a you and me.”

“And you think that’s a good thing?”

“Bianca, if I had it my way, none of this would be happening.”

“So, Rina is like, what? A second choice?” she asked a deep-V forming between her eyes.

“No!” I practically shouted. That was horrible. No, absolutely not. “It’s just, maybe she’s right, maybe there’s something there. I’m tired of screwing up to the detriment of those around me. I’m trying, that’s all I’m saying. It’s nothing more. Not now at least.”

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