Page 32 of The Trolley Kiss

“Oh my God! Who are you talking to?”

I look down at my drink and take a sip, trying to be innocent. “No one.”

She doesn’t let it slide. “I swear to God, if you are talking to Chris again…”

“No! Fuck no!” I exhale harshly.

Her eyes go wide. “It’s Mack! Isn’t it? Oh my God! You told me that was just casual.”

“It is casual!”

“Ain’t no way your face is lighting up like that for a fling, especially since you haven’t even fucked him yet.”

“He’s just a friend,” I laugh, taking another sip of my drink.

“Friend? Ha!” she laughs, grabbing her phone out of her clutch. “We both know that you buying your own hotel room was a waste of money.”

“Shut up,” I giggle as she answers her phone.

“Hello? Hey, you almost here?” she asks her boyfriend, Ken.

“Ken, hurry up!” I shout toward her as I grab my own phone to check if Declan texted back.

Declan:Keep telling yourself that.

Me:I will.

“Is he on the way? I’m dying to third-wheel it,” I tease.

She rolls her eyes. “Oh please, if you weren’t so insistent on keeping things casual, then you could have invited Mack tonight. You know I need to officially meet him. Make sure he’s actually as hot as I remember. We were all trashed that night.”

“I’ve shown you pictures,” I sass.

“Yeah, but it’s not the same as in person. Call him right now.”

“I’m not calling him,” I say even though I grab my phone anyway.

Declan:You’re so fucking stubborn. What are you doing right now?

Me:At The Tap Room with Tiff. Why?

Declan:Come meet us at The 76. I’ll pay for your Uber.

Me:Us?

Declan:Like you give a fuck. You’re coming to see me.

Me:Fine. But only because Tiffany wants to meet Mack in person and you’ll have to suffice for now.

Our Uber pulls up to the bar, and I do one last mirror check in the car window reflection. I adjust my bra, pushing my tits up before following Tiff and Ken inside.

“So explain to me again why you’re texting Mack’s twin brother after everything,” Tiffany asks me as we scan the bar for Declan.

“I work with Declan every day. It doesn’t mean anything,” I try to play it off even though her face tells me she doesn’t believe it.

My heart falls into my stomach when I spot Declan at the bar, laughing with the most gorgeous girl in the whole bar. I argue with myself whether or not that should bother me. I know it shouldn’t. I know it, but it does.

Tiff touches my arm, grabbing my attention back. “We’re running to the bathroom.”

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