Page 81 of Love Sick

I chuckle and shake my cup of Coke. “Heard that.”

“You, too?” She holds her hands toward the fire. “Sucks.”

Shrugging, I reach toward the fire myself. Heat licks over my skin in comforting waves. “Could always Uber, I guess.”

She tilts her head back and forth, considering. “Nah.”

The drunken laughs and whoops around us draw my attention to the side.

“Can I ask you a question?” Rebecca asks. The fire gilds her face, gold light glistening over her eyelashes and blond hair. Her lips are turned down into a frown. “Was it—was it me?”

Oh.

Okay.

So we’re doing this, then.

I don’t pretend to misunderstand, though I wish I did. Despite the flames, prickly cold wraps around my neck and torso. Lying tastes like vinegar, but hurting her isn’t an option either, so I settle on, “You can’t control attraction, Becca.”

“And you aren’t attracted to me?”

My slight hesitation makes her grimace.

“Never mind.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to know. I don’t know why I even asked that.”

“Becca, you’re great—”

“Seriously, Julian.” Her voice grows pointed. “I don’t want to know.”

I hold a hand up in submission. She brushes off her arms and walks away without a backward glance. I should probably feel bad, but instead, a wave of relief washes over me. That episode is finally closed. Thank you, universe.

A bench seat at the far corner of the deck calls my name. Out in the yard, some inebriated fools light old fireworks and screech in delight. Sitting stone-cold sober in the corner, I find them a tad obnoxious, but prepare to be entertained nonetheless.

Asher falls next to me, intoxicated and smiling. “Santini!”

“Hey, Asher.”

“Good party, right?” His words are slurred.

“The best.”

He laughs and claps me on the shoulder.

“Are you—” I eye him closely, taking in the fake mustache and glasses “—dressed as Dr. Chen?”

His eyes crinkle in merriment. “It’s great, right?”

I glance at his white coat, pointing at the embroidered name there. “You even stole his white coat.”

Asher waves a hand. “Meh. He’ll never know it went missing.” His head lolls to the side, a dopey smile on his face.

“You need some water, buddy?”

“Nah. I’m fine.” He rests his head on the side of the house. “Just need a minute.”

The scent of burnt wood mixes with the chilly October night, and I relax into it, breathing deep.

“It’s a good night, isn’t it?” he murmurs.

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