Page 53 of I Think They Love You

“I’m not—” He sputters. “I mean,she’snot. In love. It’s nothing.”

“Bullshit.” Nic taps the end of her nose. “I’m observant. Perceptive.”

“Really getting all the mileage out of those SAT words, huh?”

A wry smile crawls over her lips. “Kami’s got a man. She acts the same way you do whenever someone mentions Braylon.”

“I don’t act a… way,” he says defensively.

“I’m not like the others. I don’t have issues with Braylon.” Her eyes soften. “I… missed him.”

Denz’s stomach twists guiltily. Nic didn’t have the simple life he had before the Carters became a brand. She was born into constant public attention. As a result, she’s always kept a small, tight-knit circle of friends. Somehow, Braylon made it into that group of people she genuinely cared about.

“Even after the breakup,” she says, “I always thought he was the Peeta to your Katniss.”

“Thewhoto mywhat?”

“The One, genius!”

Funny thing is, Denz did too. A long time ago. It’s silly to believe a first love is going to be who you spend the rest of your life with. That only happens in Reese Witherspoon movies. But the summer before senior year, Denz let himself dream: Sharing an apartment with Braylon after graduation. Coffee in bed together. Walks around the city. One day, falling to bended knee and proposing.

A Hallmark Christmas movie happy ending.

Then came Braylon’sCome with me? To London?Emmanuel suggesting Braylon leave Denz behind when he took too long to give Braylon an answer.

“The One” is a concept Denz is no longer subscribing to.

“Nephew!” Eva says. “We’re ready for you!”

He pastes on his best I-don’t-hate-this smile. To Nic, he whispers, “Was the blue suitthatbad?”

“You looked like the genie fromAladdin.”

Fuck, he needs to find a better support system.

-8-

Today 10:58A.M.

Formerly Known As Bray

How do astronomers organize a party?

They planet.

you thought this was FUNNY?

Formerly Known As Bray

Sorry. It’s been a busy day at work.

I’m not on top of my game.

you can make it up to me tomorrow

Formerly Known As Bray

Wow! How did I get such a generous fake boyfriend?

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