Page 89 of The Has-Been

Cynthia reaches for my wrist and secures a bracelet. She moves my hair off to the side as she begins to place a matching pearl necklace at my throat. But June calls out, putting down her glass of champagne to say, “I changed my mind—I think no on the necklace, Cynthia.”

Cynthia considers it, but eventually nods her approval.

Reese smiles, tipping back her drink with a wink.

Rory chuckles softly, clearly about to say something ridiculous. “Yeah, definitely no on the pearl necklace...” And I should know her better to understand what comes next, “though if you change your mind…I’m sure Liam could give you one.”

Reese’s champagne flies from her mouth, spraying all over June, who screeches.

The four of us remain silent as Cynthia looks at each of us before tipping her head in pure laughter. “Oh, you girls are naughty! My absolute favorite, darlings!” She chuckles, finishing up pinning the lengths. “But you take him up on that offer should it arise, my dear.” She scolds, and I know my face is heating.

I take off the dress, taking the champagne from Reese’s hands when I step back out.

“Speaking of Liam—is he going to come?” Reese asks.

I shrug my shoulders.

I want him to. And yet, I don’t.

Every year after the Gala, the four of us, and anyone else we invite, spend the weekend at our parents’ cabin. It overlooks our family’s ski resort and usually turns into a large party with all our friends. I can’t believe I forgot about it this year, too busy with senior year and working with the team.

I really need to talk to Liam about things. And doing it away from campus, away from past memories, might be good—maybe even better—that way.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll ask him,” I say, tipping back the crisp bubbles.

Rory must overhear because she exclaims, “Oh, the cabin is going to be rocking this year.” She laughs, thrusting the air as June and her die laughing. But I grin, hoping for once Rory isn’t wrong.

CHAPTER 18

SEVEN INCHES

LIAM

Aubrey lays her dress bag over my suit in the backseat.

We haven’t seen much of one another since finals began. Aubrey has tried to get me to stay over a few times, but I’ve stayed strong this far—surprising even myself with my restraint.

I meant what I said about taking the time and figuring out what we both want.

Time for me to figure out what’s holding her back.

I think about Reid’s words weeks ago, about just asking her. To keep asking her.

To keep showing up.

And while I haven’t point-blank questioned her about what she’s hiding—I have been making it a point to be there.

“Hey!” she greets, the snow dusting her coat melting almost instantly as she climbs into the suffocating heat of my car, pulling me out of my own thoughts. “Sorry, we couldn’t leave earlier this morning with everyone. My computer crashed during my Anatomy final, and my professor couldn’t find my test,” she explains. “So I had to retake it this afternoon. I was pissed for having to redo it, but that’s about my luck.”

“No worries,” I say as we pull out of her condo. “Did Reese and Reid make it okay?” I ask.

Aubrey checks her phone. “Yeah, Reese just texted. She’s having dinner with Reid and her parents. I think she felt bad that he didn’t have anywhere to go for a Thanksgiving dinner.”

My head slowly cranes in Aubrey’s direction. Oh, how I’d love to be a fly on a wall right about now.

“Has he figured out who her dad is yet?” I ask, a mischievous smile pulling at the ends of my lips.

She shakes her head.