Page 24 of The Nice List

“Don’t get smart, Olivia. We…” She waves a hand between herself and Livvy. “Are leaving. Now.”

“I’m staying,” Livvy declares. “The ball hasn’t even dropped yet. And I intend to kiss my boyfriend at midnight. Don’t wait up. I won’t be staying at the dorm tonight.”

Alexis steps forward and reaches out like she’s going to grab my girl.

“Don’t!” I bark as I take a step back, pulling Livvy out of her sister’s reach. When Alexis drops her hand and turns her scowlon me, I tell her, “You can be mad at Livvy for keeping a secret. You can hate me for being the bad guy that stole your little sister’s attention. You don’t have to be happy about it, but youdohave to accept it. It’s Livvy’s life…not yours.”

I turn to kiss Livvy’s forehead as she beams up at me, acknowledging our relationship in front of her sister for the first time. “I’m going to refill our drinks before midnight. Do you need a minute to talk to Alexis alone?”

“Please,” Alexis says with a plea instead of the animosity her voice held before.

Livvy nods and I turn to make my way toward the cabin.

Just as I reach the steps, I hear Livvy say, “I’ll see you later.”

I keep walking without eavesdropping on any more of their conversation.I just hope she wasn’t talking to me.

Livvy

I’m disappointed when I catch the smug look on my sister’s face as soon as Cory turns his back.

“I’ll see you later,” I say, deciding that I don’t want to waste another minute of tonight arguing with her.

“Wait!” she says when I turn to follow Cory. “I’m sorry. I just… I don’t want you to get hurt, Livvy. Cory is…” Her voice trails off.

“What, Alexis?” I ask. “Too old for me?” I hold up one finger and then raise another with each following question. “A bad boy? Your ex?” I throw my hands up dramatically. “I know all that, but he’s also…” I drop my hands and shrug. “He gets me.”

Alexis shakes her head. “I was going to say…Cory is different with you. He never looked atmethat way. Even though he definitely wanted more from our fling than I did. He cares aboutyou. I still don’t like it but—if you’re happy—I’ll try to get on board. Just, be careful.”

I nod. “Thank you,” I tell her earnestly. “And if it makes you feel any better…we haven’t slept together. He wouldn’t until I told you about us.”

Alexis rears back in shock before a rare grin appears. “Wow. He mustreallycare about you. That does actually make me feel better. Go on in. I think I may actually hang around until after midnight.”

“I’m still not coming home with you,” I tell her.

“I know.” She scoffs. “Just let me hover for a bit. I want to make sure he’s treating you right now that your secret is out.”

I sigh. “Fine. Just hover from a distance,please,” I beg.

“I will,” she promises before stepping forward to hug me. “I love you, Livvy.”

“I love you, too,” I admit as I hug her back before turning and jogging into the cabin.

Chapter 16

Cory

“I’m gonna need to take your keys,” Joey says as he steps up next to me at the make-shift bar.

“No,” I reply as I add a few cherries to Livvy’s drink, hoping that she’ll be coming in to drink it.

Joey sighs. “House rules, man. Tracey is a stickler about it. And I just saw you add about two shots of vodka to that sissy drink you’re making.”

“It’s not for me.” I laugh at his narrowed eyes. “It’s for my girl. I haven’t had any alcohol since I got here. I’m not risking my girlormy bike by drinking and driving.”

Joey scoffs. “What girl? I hope you’re not talking about Skyler…”

“No. That was just me doing a favor for you. Thanks for almost getting my head bashed in, by the way.” I give him a mock scowl before letting my smile break free as I see Livvy stepping through the door. “There’s my girl!”

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