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You can’t finish this degree.
You’ll never find a postdoc.
You’re going to fail.
Everyone pities you, because they know you’re not good enough.
That was what she got for taking a risk and putting herself out there. She should have known better. She never should have let herself think she had a shot at something special.
“Hey.” Dylan came up behind her and draped his arm around her shoulders. Brooke stiffened, and he let go, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Sorry.” She felt bad for flinching away from him.
“Did you not want me to touch you in front of your colleagues?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Are you sure? It doesn’t seem fine. Or is something else bothering you?”
“No, nothing’s wrong.” She reached for his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze as she shoved her disappointment down deep. “I’m just annoyed that I had to come to this lame picnic today and drag you along with me.”
She didn’t want to tell Dylan about the award. She was too upset and embarrassed to have put herself forward and wasted all that time she could have been spending with him instead. She’d made it sound like she actually had a shot, when it had all been a fantasy.
“It’s not that bad,” he told her. “I’m having a perfectly fine time.”
“Yeah, you seemed to be enjoying all the attention.”
Dylan frowned. “You know I don’t give two shits about those girls, right? I was just fucking around.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I’m just in a crappy mood for some reason.”
His expression softened. “Is it because I’m leaving tomorrow?”
“Maybe a little,” Brooke admitted.
“Hey.” He reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear. “I’m dreading it too.”
She searched his face. “Really? Because you haven’t seemed like it.”
“I was putting on a brave front. I just want to enjoy our last day together.”
“Me too.”
It occurred to Brooke that she hadn’t kissed him in at least three hours, which was a genuine tragedy. She pulled him toward her and rectified the oversight.
He tasted like apple pie, which almost made everything better.
Chapter Sixteen
Penny and Caleb had never looked happier.
You know that look someone gets when their smile is trying to explode out of their face because even their widest smile isn’t enough to contain it? That was both Penny and Caleb as they greeted the guests at their reception.
They’d chosen a venue in Santa Monica surrounded by beautiful gardens and shady trees strung with lanterns. Inside the house, fairy lights hung from the rafters, and bunches of purple flowers surrounded by tea light candles adorned every surface. The air smelled like lavender and vanilla.
Soft music played in the background as the guests mingled over drinks and canapés. Brooke recognized Tessa and Lacey from the bachelorette, and Melody with a handsome date who must be her fiancé. As she made her way over to the newlyweds, Brooke plastered a bright smile on her face, determined not to let her bad mood spill over onto Penny and Caleb’s celebration.
“Congratulations!” she exclaimed as she squeezed Penny. “Look at you, you look amazing! I can tell married life agrees with you.”
