Page 62 of Kissing the Debutant
“They look brand new.” She inspected two of the largest mats drying in the sun. “Nice job, cousin.” She crouched beside him. “You wouldn’t be avoiding a certain talented ballerina, would you?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Jack shrugged, not wanting to talk about Lillian with any more of his female relatives.
“She switched her schedule.” Katrina stood to lean against the doorway of her studio. “She opted for early morning practice before school. Said it would suit her class schedule better for the rest of the semester.”
Something shattered inside Jack at that news. Lillian had made it so they never had to see each other. For the last several days he’d struggled with unanswered questions about what happened at the ball, but Jack had his answer now. Lillian clearly didn’t want to talk to him. Whatever they had was over, and she was trying to make the break as clean as possible.
“So, it looks like you can let these dry and then switch them out for all the mats from the front studio.” Katrina clapped him on the shoulder. “You know, since there’s no reason to hide out back here now.”
“You’re mean.” A hesitant smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I’m a wounded man. Don’t kick me when I’m down.”
“You know I love you, Jack, but look how pretty my mats shine? Get to work on the rest.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He sighed.
“And Jack,” she called over her shoulder.
“Yeah?” He turned toward Katrina.
“She’s missing out on a really great guy.”
22
Lillian
“Knock, knock!” Lillian’s bedroom door burst open and flooded with light. She blinked at the sudden brightness.
“Wylder? What are you doing?” Lillian sat up in confusion.
“Are you seriously asleep? It’s ten-thirty.”
“It’s a school night.” She rubbed the grit from her eyes.
“My roommate doesn’t seem to think that’s as important as we do.” Devyn stood in rumpled pajamas with her arms crossed over her chest. Clearly, her sleep was interrupted as well.
“Who needs sleep when we’re dealing with a serious heartbreak?” Wylder tugged a bag onto Lillian’s bed and pushed her over.
“Wylder, what’s happening right now? How did you even get in here? I locked the door.”
“I have my ways. Tonight we are girl bonding. Come on Devyn, get in here.” Wylder patted the mattress on Lillian’s other side.
“Will this last long?” Devyn climbed onto the bed. “I have an early practice.”
“I do too,” Lillian groaned. She’d switched her daily practice to early morning sessions with Katrina. It was nice working one on one with a professional, but it made for a very long day. All week, Lillian had dragged herself into bed each night, too tired to think about Jack and how she’d messed up the best thing that had ever happened to her. She didn’t need Wylder forcing her to deal with it.
“You two are brilliant competitors in your respective fields, but you’re not the best at the social stuff. That’s why I’m here to help. It’s my specialty.”
“Help?” Devyn rolled her eyes. “Don’t you mean irritate?”
Wylder ignored her and reached for the bag she’d brought, dumping its contents on the bed.
“What is all this?” Lillian frowned, still foggy from sleep.
“Breakup snacks.” Wylder passed each girl a pint of ice cream and a spoon.
“Where did you get the primo ice cream?” Lillian snatched up the mint chocolate chip. It wasn’t even the soy, low-fat stuff she was used to, but she refused to think about the calories.
“Wylder is magic,” Devyn said, ripping the top off the rocky road. “She’s like an invisible little weasel running around campus taking what she wants and never getting caught.”
