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“Want any milk?” Tessa asks, after I’ve poured some coffee into my mug.
“Yeah, that would be great.”
She nods and turns back toward the fridge.
“I can get it,” I offer.
“Not a problem,” Tessa replies, her head in the fridge.
I catch Parker’s eye. He nods toward Tessa and smiles before raising his eyebrows. I shake my head. I hope he doesn’t think Tessa is interested in me, just that he’s wondering if I’m into her.
Something about Tessa reminds me of Maeve’s friend, Sarah. They’re both quiet and sweet. Despite the fact Matt has always insisted Sarah has a crush on me, I’ve never gone there. Not just because she’s Maeve’s friend, although that certainly plays a role. Knowing Tessa is friends with Natalie? For some reason, that holds more significance in my mind. It’s annoying, but if it were possible to control how we feel—how wereallyfeel, not how we tell ourselves we do—life would be a different experience.
I take my eggs and coffee and approach the table where Natalie is sitting. She’s in her pajamas, which unfortunately is the exact same outfit she was wearing last night. The only difference in her appearance is her hair is pulled up instead of down. Her ponytail swings as she shuts off her phone and tilts her head to the side to watch me take a seat across from her.
I hold her gaze, even as our knees accidentally brush under the table. She doesn’t pull away or react. She just watches me.
My gaze moves first again, falling to the table so I can cut my eggs. Parker and Tessa migrate over from the kitchen. Parker takes the chair next to me and Tessa settles beside Natalie.
“You’re not eating?” I don’t address her by name, but it’s obvious who I’m talking to based on how Tessa, Parker, and I all have full plates.
“I’m not hungry.”
“You should still eat something.”
“Swap your major to health science and then you can give me nutritional advice, okay?”
I roll my eyes, planning to let it drop. I don’t know why I said something to begin with. But then something registers. “How doyouknow what I’m majoring in?”
There’s a split-second when she’s flustered, but she recovers quickly. “Did I say what you’re majoring in?”
“You said I’m not majoring in health science. How the hell do you know I’mnot?”
Natalie glares at me. I wait, not dropping it. I’m not sure why knowing what she knows about me suddenly matters this much, but it does. “Wes mentioned you’re studying engineering.”
I lean back. “Let me get this straight.YouandWeston Colewere discussing my major?Why?”
There’s a pink tinge to Natalie’s cheeks that I’d call a blush on anyone else. “We both took Physics this spring and hated it. Wes mentioned if you guys got along…he would have asked you for help.”
I’m floored. I thought she was going to admit to looking up my football profile, which lists my major as engineering. “You and Cole talk a lot, huh?”
Natalie’s glare intensifies, which I wouldn’t have thought possible. “We’re friends, yeah. I’m not a cheater. And neither ishe.”
She thinks I’m worried her friendship with Weston might threaten Maeve and Weston. That’s what Ishould beconcerned with. Instead, I’m well, the closest thing to being jealous over a girl I’ve ever experienced.
I cover that realization with bluster. “I don’t think Cole will cheat. He knows I’d love an excuse to fuck with him.”
Hating Alleghany is familiar territory. I’m happy to head back there instead of dwelling on any contrary emotions where the blonde across the table is concerned.
Natalie snorts. “Yeah, I’m sure he’sterrified. You’re on a real winning streak against him.”
It’s exactly the sort of response I was prepared for. But it feels like a cheap shot. It hurts to hear—not the truth—but having to listen to Natalie defend Weston. Knowing she’ll always choose his side over mine.
Stupid and ridiculous, becauseof courseshe will. A few kisses and a couple of confessions mean nothing against years of animosity.
I say nothing, just stab my egg. There’s a flash of something besides superiority on Natalie’s face. A glimpse that suggests she might regret saying that last sentence.
An awkward silence falls over the table.
