Page 36 of How He Got the Girl
“You already have Austin.” Kelsey tilts her head in jest.
Alyssa groans. “When are y’all going to cool it with the whole me and Austin thing?”
“Once you convince us that it’snota thing,” I respond.
“Et tu, Brute?”
“Ooh, me three!” Shayna raises her hand, smiling gleefully.
Alyssa lets out a slow breath. “Remind me why I’m friends with y’all?”
“Because you love us.” I wrap my arm around her, and she reluctantly hugs me back.
“Enough about my best guyfriend. Tell us how this arrangement with Griffin is going to work.”
All attention is back on me. I haven’t had time to process this situation with Griffin yet, but there’s nobody better to debrief with than my girls.
“I have to make a social media account where we’ll post together once or twice a week.” I sigh. “Unfortunately, that means we have to see each other multiple times a week.”
“How do you feel about having to spend time with him?” Shayna’s eyes are riddled with concern for me.
“I’m terrified, if I’m being honest.” I wrap my arms around my middle, trying not to freak out as I think aboutspending the coming months with Griffin. “I truly considered telling him no. But then I realized it’s an opportunity for him to compensate me, in some way, for the damage he caused when he ghosted me, plus his ridiculous interview answers.” I hug myself tighter. “It doesn’t make up for what he did and said, but it’s something. And I’d be lying if I said the money wasn’t life-changing.”
Don’t even get me started on how teachers don’t get enough compensation for helping raise and teach the next generation.
Kelsey moves to sit on the coffee table in front of me while Alyssa and Shayna wrap their arms around me.
“He deserves to pay for the way he hurt you, butyoudeserve to be happy.” Alyssa’s voice is soft and calming, like a gentle spring breeze. “Areyou happy?”
The question catches me off guard. “I hadn’t thought about much more than making him pay…” I trail off, trying to uncover how I feel, but I come up blank. “I don’t have a real answer yet. I think I’m happy, but ask me again after I’ve spent more time with Hot Cocoa Man.”
“We will.” Alyssa nods.
“We’re here for you.” Kelsey pats my knee.
“Forevermore,” Shayna adds.
“Forevermore,” we all echo back.
“When are you seeing him next?” Kelsey asks.
“Tomorrow. I have to be ready for a photoshoot with a professional photographer. Y’all, these pictures are going to show up everywhere, so I need you to help me pick my outfit and figure out what I’m going to do with my crazy curls.” I reach up and squeeze my messy bun for emphasis.
“Good thing you have a bestie who’s a hairdresser and also loves fashion.” Alyssa stands and places her hands onher hips like she’s my fairy godmother or superhero for the day. “To the closets.”
Today’s the day the world will know my name. Even though I know I look ready, I don’t feel ready. But does one everfeelreadyto be thrust into the spotlight? Probably not.
Alyssa went through all four of our closets to curate a magazine-worthy outfit. I feel confident in Kelsey’s cream-colored sweater, my favorite pair of jeans, a pair of Shayna’s floral-patterned socks, and Alyssa’s ankle-high boots. The look is finished off with my plaid pink peacoat. Plus, Alyssa tamed my natural waves to perfection. There isn’t a strand of frizz in sight. She also gave me a natural glam makeup look that I hope will look perfect for pictures.
I’m wearing leggings underneath my jeans and set out black earmuffs and faux-leather gloves to bring with me since Griffin told me to dress warm. He still won’t tell me what we’re doing—aside from the photoshoot—even though I texted him again this morning to ask.
I glance at my phone, waiting for Griffin to let me know he’s here. As if he knew I was looking, a text pops up on my home screen from him.
MR. TOO LATE
I’m one minute out.
I thumbs-up his message, pull on my coat, and slide into the ankle-high boots before grabbingmy purse. All my friends are at work, so I say goodbye to Kelsey’s dog, Winston.
