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The three dots appear, so I know she’s typing, but then they go away and my heart sinks.
Then there’s nothing.
The dots finally appear again, and I get her response.
Claire: Sure.
34
Claire
My nerves start to get to me as I get ready to go out with Aiden and his friends. I know what would have happened if I had said no, though. I would have ended up staying in tonight and watching another one of my favorite movies to try and distract myself from my new reality.
Going out with Aiden and his friends is probably a better idea.
My Airbnb has a washer and dryer, so my sundress from yesterday is clean. I know it’s the last thing he saw me in, but I’m not buying another outfit for the sake of Aiden Lewis. I pair my dress with my new sandals, leave my hair down, and head out the door.
35
Aiden
We’re sitting at a picnic-style table with a straw umbrella overhead, but I haven’t told them Claire is coming. They’d only grill me with questions about who she is to me and how I know her—neither of which I want to answer. Plus, Chad is a nosy asshole, and I know he’d make a big deal out of something that is definitely not a big deal.
“What are you looking at?”
Speaking of the nosy asshole, I didn’t realize I was staring at the front entrance and quickly take another sip of beer before looking at him. “What do you want me to do? Stare at your ugly mug?”
Chad gives me a taunting smile that makes me wish I would have sat across from Ethan instead. Practically grinning, he says, “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.”
“Hey, guys. This is Lauren,” Em says as she brings over a pretty brunette. “I just met her at the bar, and she’s new to town! She’s here with her roommate, but she sounds like a bitch.” Em shrugs it off and takes a seat, leaving Lauren to stand there awkwardly.
Ethan looks up at his girlfriend’s new friend. “Is that true, Lauren? Is your roommate a bitch?”
The poor girl immediately turns pink. “Oh, um. We just don’t really know each other yet. I’m here for the summer term, and she doesn’t seem interested in doing anything with me. I don’t even know where she went.” She looks around the bar before turning back to us with an apologetic smile.
While she’s not looking, Chad stares at me with wide eyes and mouths, “Mine.”
I give him a thumbs up with as much enthusiasm as I can muster and get up for another beer from the bar. “Nice meeting you, Lauren,” are my only parting words.
The tiki bar isn’t packed, but the place will get busier as the night goes on. For now, though, it’s easily noticeable when someone chooses to stand right next to me among the empty barstools.
“Can I have a sangria?”
I know that voice.
Turning to her gives me deja vu because she’s wearing the same dress, and for some reason, that makes me happier than I’ve been all day. Seeing her makes me happier than I’ve been all day. Looking down, my face falls. “No boots?”
Extending one of her feet to show off her new shoes, she shrugs. “I thought these might be more appropriate.”
I nod. “Save the boots for your night hikes.”
She presses her lips together, trying to fight her smile. “I was not hiking that night.”
“Could have fooled me,” I say casually.
She looks different.
Holy hell does she look different.
