He stepped back. “I’m good thanks, Mel. How are you?”
“Oh, y’know. Same old, same old. Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to come to a party at Beta Kappa Pi, tonight.” Her tongue snaked out to wet her lips.
“Melissa, I’m with Cleo.” He folded his arms. “And even if I wasn’t, my answer is still no.”
Been there, done that, and have no intention of doing it again.
“Oh.” Her face fell for a moment, before the fake-smile was back in place. “But I heard you two were past-tense.” She curled a slender hand around his forearm.
“No, Melissa. We are present and future tense.”
She shrugged, and a strangled, tense giggle erupted from her chest. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
He peeled off her hand and dropped it. “Actually, I can. It’s pretty shitty to be asking out another woman’s boyfriend.”
Her jaw dropped open.
Mission accomplished. She turned to leave, paused, and stepped closer to him so she could speak in his ear. “I’ll be waiting when it all turns to shit.” She cocked an eyebrow and licked her lips.
“Don’t hold your breath.”
As she strode away, movement in his periphery made him turn. “Cleo.” Her name was a choked plea.
Her face was pale, her eyes sad, and her lips downturned. She turned and bolted. He stepped onto the road but a car honked, jolting him back onto the sidewalk.
He didn’t have to wait long before his phone vibrated in the bicep pocket of his sleeve.
Cleo: I can’t do this anymore.
Lincoln: Nothing happened with Melissa.
Cleo: Maybe it should have.
Lincoln: Excuse me?
Cleo: You should be with someone like her.
Lincoln: Someone ugly hearted and mean? Wow. Thanks.
Lincoln: “Angry people are not always wise,” Lizzy.
Cleo: I’m not angry. And quoting P&P at me won’t work either.
Lincoln: “You expect me to account for opinions which you choose to call mine, but which I have never acknowledged.”
Cleo: Lincoln… stop.
Lincoln: “My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you shall silence me forever.”
Cleo. I’m sorry Lincoln. It’s over.
Chapter 29
Cleo
“You did…what?”
Cleo hung her head in her hands and groaned. “I know. I had to. I don’t have time for boys, Mol. He’s in my head and my grades are sliding.”
