Page 114 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

“You have to be.”

The harsh edge in her voice pulled me upright. “Yeah. Because of Kira.”

“And because I won’t be here anymore.”

I stopped pacing. “What are you talking about?”

“Tristan already told you what I did.”

“Rochelle, Roger put you in a bad–”

“I keep running into them,” she interrupted. “And you’d think I wouldn’t in this big fucking city, but it keeps happening.”

I heard her shuffling around the room. It sounded like she was moving things–fabrics, porcelain–items that rustled and clinked.

I couldn’t think of anything to say. So I waited. Eventually, Rochelle stopped what she was doing and said, “I haven’t been allowed inside a gallery for years. I don’t even know why I’m still here. I have to go.”

“Go where?”

“Back to Oakhaven.”

“Rochelle, your life is here.”

“Being unemployed and living off my ex’s money isn’t a life.”

“It’s not that bad. We’re here now.”

“I know. But I should’ve gone back years ago. I wanted to be here for you, and I thought being with you and Kira would make this easier. But seeing Tristan today–I need a change. I need to get out of New York.”

Chapter 45

Mia

LILLY AND SHAWN’S APARTMENT

Monday Evening

I couldn’t go home.

Everywhere I looked, I’d see Theo and what we did and what it caused, and I just… couldn’t.

Lilly and I picked up some fried rice and an order of egg rolls on the way to her place, and I blew on a spoonful of it now, my stomach churning as Shawn sat across from me, resting his elbows on the countertop between us.

“I’ll talk to Rutton,” he muttered. “Lilly shouldn’t lose her promotion over this.”

I felt like actual toe jam.

Not only could I not believe that Lilly was by my side, going through this with me, but so was Shawn. Of all people, he should hate me most. I said I’d look after her. Instead, I ruined her career.

All because I couldn’t stay away from Theo. All because I fell in love with Theo.

That was the part that killed me most. That Lilly knew, understood, and forgave. Because she knew what it felt like to do the stupidest things when you were in love.

“If getting Lilly’s promotion back means firing me, I’d be fine with that.”

Lilly ran her hand down my arm, comforting me, which was just ludicrous. I should have been comforting her.

“Mia, you didn’t do anything that Rutton could fire you for,” Lilly soothed. “It’s not illegal to fall for a student’s father.”