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She playfully rolls her eyes and steps inside, noticing the flowers on the counter. “Oh my God. You got roses? Seriously? From who?”
My eyes meet hers, and I don’t even have to say. She immediately knows.
“Maybe you should talk to him?”
“No team Traviola talk tonight.” My words come out harsher than I intend them to. Court gives me a small smile and nods her head. Ever since that night, I haven’t been able to talk about him, but the whole out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing is total bullshit. Often, when I’m alone, I find myself wondering what he’s doing, and I’m so tempted to text him, but I don’t. My heart is so ready to betray my mind, but I can’t. I need to focus on my future while learning to be alone.
“Come on.” Courtney loops her arms with mine and drags me to the Jeep. I’m going to miss this so damn much, and it makes me sad that she won’t be able to capture me whenever she wants. As she starts it, she bends down and yanks off her heels, throwing them in the back seat. “Those fucking heels…”
The top is down, and the wind is blowing through my hair. Courtney is singing at the top of her lungs, driving way too fast, and all I can do is smile.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Cheesecake Factory?”
“You must want to make it to second base tonight.” I joke with her because this is where all the college guys bring their girlfriends for date night when they want brownie points to redeem later at night.
She pulls into the parking lot and reaches in the back for her heels. “If we were in Texas, I’d just go barefoot.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I laugh.
“It happens all the time. You have no idea.”
We walk inside, and she leads me straight to the bar. Before she even sits down, she’s ordering a martini. I order a water and a piece of Godiva chocolate cheesecake. Chocolate fixes all wounds.
“What are you going to do now?” I ask her when the waiter slides the slice of heaven in front of me. She grabs my fork and takes a bite. “Yup, died and went to heaven.” She smiles, but then frowns. “Honestly?”
I nod.
“I have no idea. Just thought I’d kind of wing it. My lease doesn’t end until the end of the year.” She shrugs. “Not sure.”
“You stress me out.” I laugh. “Your grades were nearly perfect. You could get a job anywhere.”
She nudges me. “Yourgrades were perfect. I’ll just live life vicariously through you.”
After she finishes my cheesecake and her drink, we both start yawning. Who would have thought graduation would be so tiring? We drive back to my dorm, and before I get out, I turn and look at her. This overwhelming sense of sadness takes control, and I lean over and give her a side hug. Courtney unbuckles and pulls me into a big hug and wraps both arms around me. I laugh, thinking about how much we look like lovers, but it’s not even like that. She’s the sister I always wished I had.
“I’m going to miss the fuck out of you, Lola.”
“I’m going to miss you too, Court.”
“Who’s going to keep me sane when you’re gone?” We pull apart.
“Maybe I’ll get Drew to,” I say with a smile.
Her eyes widen, and I get out of the Jeep. “Don’t you dare tease me like that!”
“Who said I was teasing? Bye!”
She smiles and reverses the Jeep so hard the tires squeal. I hear Taylor Swift blaring in the distance, and I know that it might be the last time we get to hang out before I leave. I’m still questioning if leaving is the right choice, but I hope to God it is.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
TRAVIS
Another dreadful dayat the office has me second-guessing returning early in the first place. I feel fine, but the awkward tension between Blake and me is undeniable. Alyssa walks by my office, licks her lips, and pulls her skirt up just before walking off.
I know the two of them are still plotting something against me, especially now that Alyssa is officially the Director of Global Sales. I’m so tired of their shit that I’ve been thinking more and more about my mother’s idea of starting my own small marketing firm. The thought scares the shit out of me, but I know it’d be a great investment for my future, and the more I think about Viola being my future, the more I want to make the best of it.
