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But I was glad Liam didn’t say anything. I wasn’t even technically lying. I was just withholding information. Sort of. And I didn’t have a choice. Jacob didn’t understand. And I was almost positive he would have asked me not to go if I told him the truth. Or shown up and somehow scared the kiss thief off before I could unmask him. I couldn’t risk it.

This was better. For everyone. Definitely.

RJ sat down on the other side of me. “Excited for Friday, baby doll?”

“Stop calling me that.” I gave him a hard stare. And I hoped he understood that he shouldn’t say anything about Friday night.

He winked at me.

Okay, cool. I guess he understood.

“I’ll change the subject,” he whispered to me. “Have you guys heard about the new it couple?” he said much louder.

“No,” I said.

“Unless you’re talking about us,” Jacob said and put his arm around my shoulders.

“Old news,” RJ said. “I’m talking about...”

“What the actual F?” Sophie said. Her chicken sandwich fell out of her hands and onto her tray.

“What?” I asked.

Sophie didn’t respond. She was awkwardly chewing a big piece of lettuce that had stayed in her mouth after the sandwich fell. “I’m going to be sick,” she said with her mouth full.

“Sophie, just spit it out.”

“I can’t utter the words.”

“What words? I’m talking about the lettuce.” I reached across the table and pulled it out of her mouth.

She gagged.

Liam slapped her on the back. But he was barely paying attention to her. He was staring at something over my shoulder.

I started to turn around.

“Don’t turn around,” Liam said.

“Why?” Jacob asked. He’d been about to turn around too.

“Just...don’t.”

“Good thinking,” Sophie said. “Maybe that way they won’t come over here...shit, they’re coming! Everyone try not to hurl.”

What were she and Liam talking about?

“It’s such a plot twist,” RJ said, just as Axel walked over to our table.

But he wasn’t alone. His arm was wrapped around Gigi’s waist.

She laughed even though no one had said anything and put her hand on Axel’s chest.

I did feel like hurling. It was a reflex reaction to any girl touching Axel. This shouldn’t have affected me anymore. And I wasn’t sure it would have if it wasn’t freaking Gigi.

Georgia and Gemma walked over too.

“Remember how I said I had some fun news to share?” Axel said. “Well...this is it.” He pulled Gigi even closer. “Meet my new girlfriend.”