Page 18 of Bachelor

It wasn’t like I had the right to even think about it now.

Chapter Seven

Whitney

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ILOVED FIRST FRIDAYSat the gallery. I looked forward to it every month. My mind was blissfully blank as I walked around, losing myself to the paintings and sculptors by an artist out of Colorado who really leaned into impressionism with a modern twist.

“Does this make you dizzy, or is it just me?” Tyler asked. He walked up behind me, looking at the painting over the top of my head.

“I think it’s the wine you’ve been drinking.”

“Eh, you’re probably right. I’m not used to drinking wine for fun. It’s really strong.”

Jessica snorted with laughter somewhere nearby. “Is that why you left book club early and puked behind the building before crawling back to your apartment?”

“Nothing gets past either of you, does it?” Tyler frowned, then shrugged, tipping his wine into his mouth and grimacing.

I turned to smile up at him. The more I hung out with Tyler, the more I liked him. Even if he had been close with Christian at one point. My gaze slid to his lip, which was almost healed.

“How’s it look?” he asked, gingerly touching it with his fingers.

Jessica peered at him. “Not bad at all.”

“I was hoping it would leave a scar—”

“Don’t pick at it!” I hissed, swatting his hand away. “You have no idea where Christian’s hands have been.”

“I have some idea about that.” He tried to give me a smile but winced. “You’re right, though. I should go to the campus clinic. He probably gave me some venereal disease.”

Jessica made a disgusted face and turned back to the painting, but Tyler stepped to my side.

“Look, Whitney. I know I was never like... I never stepped in when Christian was doing all of that awful stuff behind your back, and I’m sorry about it. I really am. I appreciate you and Jessica hanging out with me, honestly.”

“I always liked you, Tyler.”

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