Page 58 of Pity Play

“Does the boy you wanted to go with know what he missed out on?” Darn if that doesn’t sound flirty.

“I’m guessing he doesn’t,” I tell him while shifting nervously in my seat. I can’t seem to make eye contact, while adding, “I wasn’t even on his radar back then.”

“Who knows, maybe he still lives in town and is hoping to run into you?”

I slowly raise my gaze to his. He looks too innocent to have any idea what he’s just said so I tell him, “I’ve heard through the grapevine that he lives in a big city now. I don’t expect he’ll ever be back.”

“I’m sure stranger things have happened.” He’d never say that if he knew I was talking about him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

LUKE

I knew Lorelai was nice, I just never knew how nice. The teenage hostess who works here is nothing short of a brat and yet, Lorelai immediately came to her aid when she sensed her distress. Babies, dogs, and now teenagers? Talk about the trifecta of endorsements.

Opening the bottle of champagne, I pour a little for both of us then raise my glass, “To prom. May it mend more hearts than it breaks.”

Lorelai laughs. “It was strange seeing all those kids from an adult perspective. They don’t look nearly as put together as we gave them credit for when we were their age.”

“That’s the truth.” I take a sip of my drink before saying, “Junior yearI went with Ashleigh Ryan, and with Tallia Smith senior year. I have no idea what’s happened to either of them.”

“Did you date either for very long?” she asks.

“A couple months, I think. How about you? Who did you date in high school?”

She nearly chokes on her champagne. “Do you remember what I looked like in high school?”

“Not well,” I lie. The truth is I remember just fine. She wascute enough, but she was much younger than me. There was no chance that I was ever going to look at her the way she wanted me to. More importantly, she was my best friend’s little sister and looking at her in that way would break all kinds of bro codes.

“Well, let me refresh your memory. My hair was orange. Neon orange.”

He laughs loudly. “I don’t quite remember it like that. Do you dye it now?”

She shakes her hair. “No. It just started changing on its own.”

“It’s very pretty,” I tell her, which causes a blush to cover her cheeks.

Ignoring my compliment, she says, “And I was really skinny, and I wore braces. Also,” she hurries to add, “I was a late developer.” Her face reddens again.

“I grew two more inches while I was in college. It’s funny how some kids peak early, and it takes others more time.”

She grimaces. “Yeah, it’s a laugh riot.”

“What about college? What did you major in?”

She rolls her eyes. “English. Which is crazy because what in the world do you do with an English degree other than teach?”

Shaking my head, I answer, “No idea. Don’t you want to teach?”

Her mouth contorts into something of a scowl. “Not particularly. I mean, I suppose I could but it’s not where my heart is. I think the reason I chose that major is because of my love of reading.

“That’s how it was with me. I thought I wanted to be in finance, but after a year I decided to go back to culinary school.”

“Your dad must have been proud.” Her smile is so sweet I can’t help but take a moment to catch my breath. Being with Lorelai is like standing in the sunshine after months of rain.

“Has Noah told you anything about what’s going on between me and my dad?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Not much. Only that you’re having sometroubles. At least, I assume that’s why you’re staying with me and not your parents.”

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