What about Angelica?I ask.
She sighs.That’s a lot harder.She really hates Viktor, although I don’t understand what he did to her that was so much worse than anyone else.And you’re not her favourite person either.Des got mad at her for ditching you at that party.
And she didn’t even like me before the party.Look, if she thinks I’m going to get hurt when Viktor dumps me, do you think that would be enough to sway her?
Oooh, you’re good at this,says Mia.Okay, let’s do that good cop/bad cop stuff.I’ll tell everyone your story, like you confessed to me and I’m mad at you.And then we’ll throw you on the mercy of the court.
I rarely understand all Mia’s idioms, but I know what she wants us to do.She sends out a message to the group chat.Everyone is around, so they agree to meet in half an hour.Meantime, Mia and I practice getting my doomed love story straight.
Then it’s showtime.The Revenge Squad meets once more in the small parlour with everyone looking mystified.
So what’s this about?Des asks.
Mia begins.Well, I have good news and bad news.The good news is that our original plan and all our hard work paid off.Vik did end up asking out Evie.And now they’ve gone out several times.
Everyone turns to gawk at me.I square my shoulders and try not to show my nervousness.
Why didn’t you tell us the moment he asked you out?Des demands.We could have game-planned it.
Mia slides in.As my little sister, she told me.And honestly, I didn’t think it would work out.Sure, we did a ton of work on Evie so she looks great, but inside she’s still as awkward and naïve as when she walked in here.She confessed that she forgot all the lines we taught her when they actually spoke.So I figured they would be one and done.
Mia apologized to me ahead of time for the mean things she was going to say.But I appreciate all her efforts.She’d make a great asset.
Anyway, I was wrong.Yes, she’s awkward, but they bonded over…what was it again, Evie?
Eastern European history,I reply.
Jordan nods.Yeah, that sounds like Vik.I mean, everyone wants to go to Paris or Rome, but who cares about Moscow or Kiev?
It’s Kyiv actually.I automatically correct to the Ukrainian pronunciation.
Mia rolls her eyes dramatically.See!That’s the nerdy stuff I’m talking about.So, they’ve gone out on two more coffee dates, and guess what happened?
Mia and I wait to see if anyone will hazard a guess or if she’ll have to answer her own question.
The little idiot is crushing on him now,drawls Angelica.
Bingo,says Mia, turning to Angelica.I mean, that’s what you always said, right?That she wouldn’t be able to handle the revenge part of the mission?
Angelica nods.You can’t send in a girl to do a woman’s job.
While I’m fine with Mia’s pre-planned insults, Angelica’s comments make me angry.Maybe I’m inexperienced with men, but on a human level it seems like these women only saw his surface: an attractive guy, a great hockey player, a team leader.But even just learning his name should alert anyone to his Ukrainian background and his concern about the war there.
So, what’s going to happen now?Jordan asks.
Mia shrugs with casual indifference.She wants to keep dating him, so I say why not?After all, how long can it last?
Angelica turns to me.When we originally planned this thing, you said you weren’t willing to have sex with him.Now that you’re into him, has that changed?
Luckily, the mere mention of Vik and sex makes me blush immediately, painting me as nervous and virginal, even though I’m now only one of those things.
I would never have sex with someone I didn’t truly care for,I state truthfully.
Angelica snorts.Well, we all know how highly sexed Vik is.That’s not going to fly with him.
Jordan looks skeptical.Wait, you mean you guys haven’t done anything yet?
I blush even harder.We kissed.And much, much more, I add silently.
