Page 101 of Before We're More Than Friends
I knew that wasn’t an apology for whathehad done. “I’ll talk about it tomorrow, okay? I’m not really in the mood right now.” I traced my fingers along all the bracelets on my left wrist. “But it does feel empty without it there.”
Oh crap, I wasn’t supposed to saythat.
“I understand.” He still didn’t look up at me.
Guilty as charged.
I waited a few seconds for him to say anything. Give in to his guilty conscience and admit that he’d been the one behind the screen the whole time. Shoot, maybe just drop a small hint that he and Alex were the same person. Anything.
But he kept his silence as Mrs. Bennett walked into the classroom with her clacking heels and excessive makeup. He didn’t take the last chance I was giving him to tell the truth.
Tomorrow night, he wouldn’t have a reason to look at me like this and swallow his words again. He’d blown every opportunity given to him to speak the truth, so it was time to speak mine.
Somewhere in the Sky’s set wrapped up their two-hour set at nine o’clock. I’d been in a bad mood beforehand, but their uplifting music had taken my mind off everything with Dallas. For the most part.
“I hate that it’s already over,” Sienna said, gazing at Ivan with dreamy eyes as he talked to his fans at their table. All of them looked just as starry-eyed as Sienna did.
“You should talk to him,” I said, still only halfway through my pastries. “He always walks around to talk to fans, but you sit there staring every time.”
Gracelynn nudged her shoulder. “Yeah, finally make your dream a reality.”
“What?” Sienna’s cheeks turned scarlet. “No, no, there’s no way?—”
“Ivan!” Arielle shouted. “Come over here!”
Sienna gasped, terror washing over her face. “You?—”
“Are welcome,” Arielle finished with a grin.
Ivan looked over for a split second, searching the café for who had just called his name.
“Ivan!” Emma waved her hands, knocking Sienna in the face. “Come here!”
“We’re leaving,” Sienna said, her cheeks still red as she grabbed Emma and left the booth. “Come on, Adam.”
“But I want to meet Ivan!” Adam whined, sticking his bottom lip out. “You’re very bad at being in love, you know. Even your friends can do better.”
Gracelynn put a hand to her chest. “Wow, thanks.”
“I’m not in love,” Sienna hissed, already pulling Adam out of our booth. “Let’sgo.”
I looked over at Ivan, who was now talking with a couple. Sienna lucked out this time.
“You’re missing out!” Arielle called as Sienna left with the twins. She looked at Gracelynn, who was checking her purse to make sure she had everything. “You’re scared of Ivan, too?”
Gracelynn laughed. “No, I’m going to get a head start on homework so I can focus on dancing and volunteering at church this weekend.”
Arielle nodded. “How’s your mom doing?”
“A thorn in my side as always.” Gracelynn put her trash on the tray before sliding out of the booth. “But I wouldn’t know how she’s doing. She doesn’t have a vulnerable bone in her body.”
I nodded with a sympathetic frown. The Naysmiths used tobe a close and happy family until Gracelynn’s sister Faith died in a drunk driving accident. Since then, her parents had completely flipped, being stricter with their two remaining children. Gracelynn knew it was their way of grieving, but that didn’t excuse how cold and controlling they could be.
“Things still getting better with your mom?” Gracelynn asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“She’s been making us dinner every night,” I said with a smile. “And she hasn’t been drinking.”
“We’re proud of her,” Arielle said, straightening her posture with pride.
