Page 29 of Love Off Course

I refrain from rolling my eyes because I, for some crazy reason, care about her feelings. “Yeah, whatever. I shouldn’t have worn that…with him.”

“Was he a good lover?”

I take note that she’s wearing the same outfit from last night, her lipstick is gone, and she has a hickey on her neck.

“Wait a minute. Who did you make out with?”

She bites on her bottom lip and squeals before jumping onto the bed beside me. It bounces and I want to puke. “Kyle is an amazing kisser.”

Of all the people she could have kissed, I never would have guessed the quiet, nerdy assistant totheDamian Birch.

“You kissed him? And then…”

“Fell asleep in his arms while listening to the rain.” She sighs. “So romantic.”

My night wasn’t much different, minus the kissing. It was hardly romantic. It was regretful. This place really fucks with my mojo. It’s like the universe is out of balance while I’m here or I’m in some alternate reality. I don’t feel like me here.

“Sherrie-dan?”

I roll on my side to look at her. In the morning light, she seems softer and younger. I don’t know much about her and I feel bad for that. I’m envious of the light easiness in her smile and the unguarded look in her eyes. Was I ever that way? I can’t remember.

“Yeah?”

“I am sorry I did not come to check on you.”

“It’s okay,” I mutter. I never expected her to babysit me.

“It is not. We are in a foreign place and alone. You could have been hurt or frightened. I failed you as a friend.” She frowns, her face growing troubled. “If we were in Costa Rica, and I were toslip away by myself, it could have turned badly. Could have been the same for you here. I am sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I breathe, suddenly overcome with emotion. “I promise. I’m okay. And when we finally make it to Costa Rica and anyone tries to hurt you, I’ll kick their ass.”

She hugs me abruptly, making me squeal in surprise. We both laugh. It’s then I realize I like having a friend. A lot. And in un-Sheridan fashion, I begin asking her about her. Because I care. In this alternate universe, maybe it’s okay to be Sherrie-dan sometimes.

We walk into Eddie’s,following the scent of eggs and hot sauce. Once I got over feeling sick, now I’m just hungry. After a nice long shower, I was able to ground myself again. I pulled on some skinny jeans, my black Valentino Garavani leather booties, and borrowed an off-the-shoulder gray cashmere sweater upon Estefania’s insistence. Best friends share clothes, I guess. I cringed when she rifled through my bag to borrow something of mine, but I have to admit my Kay Unger New York floral jacquard dress looks better on her than me.

“Kyle!”

Estefania waves to her make out buddy, who sits at a table wedged between Damian and Lawton, but she loops her arm with mine, showing me she’s not abandoning me again. Considering Carson and Camilo are sitting at the table too, I’m thankful to have her support.

“Come join the Funky Flyers,” Damian calls out, waving wildly with his rainbow fingernails and bright yellow bangle bracelets.

Camilo is wearing clothes, much to my relief. He’s put on jeans and a red, fitted shirt that showcases his muscular back all too well. Everyone is talking loudly, but it all blurs out as I stare at him.

Why am I so infatuated with this man?

He’s like the most incompatible person I could even dream of hooking up with. Besides, I’m spoken for. Sorta. Almost. Ugh.

“…everyone should plan to spend the night here?—”

A portion of Camilo’s words rise above the rest, sending me into a panic. I rush over to him and take the empty seat beside him.

“Why? What did the news say?” I demand, my fingers digging into his ridiculously hard bicep. He flies planes. How in the hell does he get arms like this from jiggling a joystick all day?

He turns to regard me. Up close, I can see speckles of gold in his dark brown eyes that are surrounded by thick black lashes. His lips quirk up on one side.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” he purrs, his eyes sliding to my lips and then to my exposed shoulder.

“Eyes up here, buddy. Focus.” I swat at his arm, earning a chuckle. “What did they say?”

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