“I have to…ask you…something,” he wheezes.
I stop so abruptly that Cam barges two steps past me and has to turn around. It’s nice to see his confidence waver, if only for one second.
“Let me askyousomething,” I say. “What were you doing at Lady Business?”
Cam throws his arms out. “Oh, because I’m—what did you call it—überdude? Is that my new alter ego?”
I huff. “We both know you normally wouldn’t be caught dead in a bookstore. It’s like someone’s paying you to stalk me and ruin my life.”
“Damn, wouldn’t that be nice.” Cam scratches his chin and smiles. He uses every scrap of his four additional inches to tower over me. “Unfortunately, I’m not getting paid.”
“Pro bono, then,” I say, rolling my eyes. “How noble.”
“It’s not really life-ruining, though, is it?” he asks.
“Is what?”
“Missing a poetry reading.” Cam nudges his toe against the sidewalk. “I mean, if anything, I saved you from a terrible afternoon.”
If I didn’t know any better, I’d wonder if there was a hintof sincerity in his voice. Why would Cam care if my afternoon was terrible or not? He wouldn’t, of course. He’s not sincere when it comes to me. At least, not anymore.
“Thanks for your service,” I mutter. I dart around Cam to keep walking, but he catches my arm. His hand feels uncomfortably hot, and I’m relieved when he immediately lets go.
We both stare past each other, not quite making eye contact.
“What do you want?” I ask, adjusting my bag.
“V, come on,” Cam says softly. I absolutely hate it when he shortens my name, like we still know each other well enough to shorten names. Like we still know each other at all.
He looks at me and asks point-blank, “Why else would I be in that bookstore?”
His eyes are so warm, his posture so open and exposed, that my glare slips a little. Is it actually possible…Is he trying to have a serious conversation?
“Why would you?” I ask, hating myself for how small my voice sounds.
Cam leans closer. He bends his head toward mine. For a moment I’m completely paralyzed, completely silent. I watch him, breath stopped, as his gaze drops from my eyes and down into my bag.
“Persuasion!” he shouts triumphantly. “I knew it started with aP!”
He takes an enormous step back and claps a hand to his chest. “I totally forgot what book Mr.Kuh assigned for next week. But I knew you’d already have it on you. You always do!”
Cam pivots back to the bookstore, now practically skipping down the pavement. A sliver of air finds its way into my lungs. I pull outPersuasionfrom the top of my bag and hug it tightly to my chest. He just wanted a book. It’s always about some stupid book.
I watch my ex–best friend pull the door to Lady Business open. He throws his head back and laughs as he strides inside, already striking up some charming conversation with a stranger. Or maybe with Rachel. It doesn’t make a difference, really.
“Asshole,” I murmur.
I take a long, rattled breath, then turn for home.
Chapter Two
Even though Life is one of the worst board games I’ve ever played, it’s still better than the game that Cam Leonardo has decided to make of my actual, real life. While we’ve never spoken directly about it, I assume these are the rules:
Cam infiltrates some key aspect of Ivy’s life.
Cam makes Ivy look like an idiot.
Cam flounces away, scoring all the points.
