Page 17 of Sugar

“No, not him. I’m actually glad he’s here tonight. And not just for the accompanying eye candy. I’m talking about Josh. He’s ruining everything.”

“Why?” Wren asked.

Greer talked as we hurriedly changed into our swimsuits. “I told him that it was fine for him to come over, but I specifically said I wanted to spend time with you guys. I reiterated it. I said it again when he got here. He agreed. Now he’s being all…Joshabout it.”

Guilt swirled in my chest. I hadn’t realized she wasn’t a willing participant in his groping since I’d been ignoring the two of them.

A matching horrified expression was mirrored on Wren’s face. “I thought you were… you know… into it.”

“I am. Kind of. Or I was. But then he started whining that I’ll get to see you both all the time, so I should be focused on him. I was trying to find a compromise, but my parents are here. You guys are here. That’s already not the time to be getting sexy, but especially tonight. I’m emotional, and he’s not listening.” She adjusted her bathing suit—a strategically chosen one-piece and not the bikini she usually wore—and her tone grew more guarded. “He’s been so weird lately.”

Not that what he was doing was excusable, but I pointed out, “You did break up with him. It kind of leaves things in a weird spot.”

She peeked at Wren and me before quickly looking away. “It started before that.”

“How?”

She shrugged.

My mouth turned down in a concerned frown, and I pushed. “How?”

“I think it’s just because we’re officially at different places in life now. He graduated. He has new friends. And I’m just wanting to enjoy a movie night with my girls.”

“Tell him you’re on your period,” Wren suggested.

I expected Greer to reject the idea since Josh wouldn’t just back off. He would leave.

But things must’ve been worse than she was letting on because she immediately grabbed her phone, her thumbs flying across the screen. “Done.”

I hesitated, wondering if I should question her further.

They’re already broken up, and we leave tomorrow. There’s no reason to ruin the night that she’s trying hard to salvage.

I pressed my lips together but shared a look with Wren to silently communicate as only best friends could. If Josh didn’t cut out early—and that was a bigif—we would run interference.

We made our way down the stairs and were in the corridor when we heard the front door close.

Well, that was fast.

Contrary to my assumption, it wasn’t Josh who’d made a hasty exit. He stood in the kitchen, talking to Doug. It didn’t look like a tense conversation, but at our approach, their gazes shot our way.

Greer eyed them suspiciously. “What’re you two up to?”

Doug gave the charming smile he used on his patients. “Who us? Nothing at all.”

“Riiiight,” she drawled.

“Easton had to take off, so I’m going to get out of your way, too.” He pursed his lips as he flexed in different bodybuilder poses. “Don’t want all my machismo throwing off your last girls’ night.”

There was a there-then-gone flash of disappointment on Greer’s face before she hid it with an eye roll. I wasn’t sure if she was upset she’d missed one last glimpse of the hottie or that her dad was ditching out.

I knew which one I was bummed about.

“And I’ve gotta run, too.” Josh shook his phone. “Dean’s having car trouble, and its surge pricing for a rideshare. I’m sorry, babe.”

I had no clue if his excuse was real or a fabrication to get away from Greer’s definitely fabricated period, but it didn’t seem to matter to her. There wasn’t even that brief flash of disappointment on her face.

Not at first, anyway.

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