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"Chad," I say, knowing exactly who he is talking about. "We broke up."
"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry," Kristin says. "I heard you wanted to move in with him."
"Oh, I'm so glad that she didn't," my mom adds with a smile. She never tried to hide that she didn't like Chad.
"Anyway, it was only for the summer, before I go to Oxford," I say easily and find myself surprised a little at how really good I feel now; no regrets, no worries, as if breaking up with Chad was the right decision.
"So now you're single for the whole summer?" Damian winks at me, and I can't help but smile in response.
I can see what women find in him: this man is over-the-top charming, and his smile is indescribable.
But what the hell do they find in cold and evil Josh? I have no idea.
"She's too young for you," I hear a familiar low voice say, and goosebumps cover my skin.
I turn to face him and see that Josh is looking straight at me, despite talking to his brother.
"She's eighteen, bro," Damian laughs, pretending he didn't notice Josh's irritation. "That means she can date whoever she wants. Right, Pink?"
I look at Damian and smile again, even though I can barely do it.
I feel as if I'm betraying Josh by flirting with his brother.
What nonsense. You can't betray someone you never had!
"Of course I can," I say, more confident this time, smiling wider and looking straight into Damian's eyes.
I can see that he's surprised by my answer, even though he's trying not to show it. I feel Josh's scathing stare on me, but I force myself not to look at him, trying to ignore him, no matter how hard it is.
Everything's going to be okay,I tell myself and take a sip of water.
"Well, well, well..." Jordan speaks again, looking at my father this time. "Can you see what's happening? I always thought your Kendall was going to marry my Josh, but, as it turned out, I've bet on the wrong horse!"
I almost choke on my water and barely have time to swallow. What did he just say? Since when did they think I would marry Josh?
Our parents laugh at those words, and so does Damian. I try to smile, even though awkwardly, but it's hard for me to do that when Josh's melty eyes are burning my skin.
Josh isn't laughing. There isn't even a hint of a smile on his face.
Damian raises his wine glass and speaks again. "Cheers to choices: for each of us to have them and never miss our chance."
When he says those words, he looks at Josh, and I bet they both know what he means. Moreover, I think Damian is doing it on purpose, I mean provoking his brother.
I just don't know why.
When I finally look at Josh, our eyes meet, and I hold my breath for a second. He keeps staring at me without even blinking. His eyes express nothing but contempt. As if I did something wrong. As if I somehow betrayed him. While it was him who threw away our friendship without any explanation. I can't force myself to look into his eyes any longer; that's why I lower my gaze.
Why do I have to sit right in front of him? Why can't I just evaporate?Those thoughts are repeating in my head throughout the evening.
That night, going to bed, I know that Josh won't come to me, no matter how much I secretly want him to.
Chapter Fifteen
Kendall
Josh is lying on the lounge next to the pool and reading another one of those psychological thrillers he took on this vacation. Half of his suitcase packed for three days was filled with them. I noticed that when I accidentally opened his bag instead of mine. I have no idea how he manages to read so many books. I heard he has insomnia and sometimes can't sleep for days. I don't know if it's true since we don't actually talk anymore.
"Come closer and just talk to him." Damian is speaking quietly, but I jump slightly anyway. He's taking a seat next to me on a terrace overviewing the ocean. And the pool, of course.
