Page 27 of How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex
“Oh, that’s right.” I love that she still calls her Janie and not Jane. It’s a reminder of how long she’s been in our lives. So that makes us friends, right?
Yes. Definitely. This is a girl I trust. Someone who knows me well.
It’s just, I have no idea how to bring this up. I have no clue how to break away from the small talk.
Toni’s smile brightens. “Janie was telling me about your parents’ trip to Italy?”
It’s a question. A prompt.
Toni is definitely better at making small talk than I am, this much is clear.
“Yeah. They leave in a couple weeks.” I force a smile that feels brittle and wrong. “They’ve been talking about this second honeymoon for about five years now, so we’re all happy for them.”
The small talk continues, and it leaves me feeling more hollow with each passing second. I need a friend, and somehow Toni and I are stuck in that polite zone. The friendliness is there, but it’s a thin veneer of smiles and inane questions.
I don’t know how to start a real conversation, and by the time we get outside, it’s clear she’s not in any hurry to forge some new bond.
“Well,” she says as she takes a step away from me. “Guess I’ll be seeing you soon.” She nods toward the amusement park with a wry smile.
“Right.” I laugh. “Work buddies.”
Her smile grows and for a second, it feels real. But then her gaze catches on something behind me and the smile falters. The moment’s over. “I see Grayson’s here, so I’ll just...” She gestures toward the parking lot where the staff parks, but I’m too frozen to say goodbye.
I see Grayson’s here.
He’s here. He’shere? Now?
Why is he here?
I thought I had time. My heart lurches into an uneven gallop, but somehow I manage to smile and say goodbye to Toni like nothing’s wrong.
“Hey, Bae.” His arms come around me from behind and I stiffen. He pulls back with a laugh. “Did I scare you?”
I turn around with a laugh that doesn’t sound like it’s coming from me at all. “Yeah, I didn’t see you there.”
He’s grinning, his eyes crinkled up in that way I love.
The way Iloved.
Right now, the sight of his easy laughter makes my stomach turn.
Do not throw up, I order my insides.You will not vomit on Grayson.
Giving commands to my body has never worked before and I have no reason to think it will now, but it’s worth a shot.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
His eyes are still laughing. He’s so happy to see me. So freakin’ happy. “Didn’t you get my texts? I’m here to give you a ride.”
Up until this moment, I never cared all that much that I don’t have a car of my own. I’ve always been content to have Grayson give me rides, or use my mom’s when she didn’t need it. I’ve been saving every penny for college, and a car wasn’t essential.
Until now.
Because there’s nothing more horrifying in this moment than the thought of sitting alone in a car with Grayson.
He’d expect me to talk. And laugh. And kiss.
The thought makes my stomach churn.
