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The shine in Lily’s eyes practically blinds me. “And you got to know him well enough to see that part of him?” She gasps. “Willow, do you…like him?”
“Obviously I like him if I can stand being in the same room as him.”
She gives me a face. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
I look from one friend to the other. These girls are the people I am closest to in my life, along with my family. They mean the world to me and I would do anything for them, just as they would do anything for me. I have never kept secrets from them. But why does a part of me feel reluctant to tell them the truth about how I feel about Colt? Maybe because once the words leave my lips—and my heart—it will become real.
“Willow?” Ava rests her hand on my arm. “You know you can talk to us. We love you to death and would never judge you. We’re here for you, always.”
“Yeah, I know. I was just thinking the same thing. I would never keep anything from you. I just…” I sigh. “I’ve never felt this way before and it’s…” I lower my gaze to my lap. “It’s scary. And you know I’m not afraid of anything.”
Lily wraps her arm around me. “Everyone gets a little scared when it comes to love. Because putting your heart on the line is a very scary thing. But we’re here to help you. Just like you guys were here to help me figure out my feelings for Xavier.”
“And me with Aidan,” Ava says.
“And definitely me with Liam,” Chloe adds.
Ava nods. “All we want is for you to be happy. Talking about it will help.”
I play with my glasses as I contemplate their words. Of course they’re right. I spoke to my mom about my feelings for Colt last night, but it’s different sharing it with my best friends. The truth is, I want to tell them. I want them to be involved in every part of my life. It’s just the fear of the unknown that gets to me.
With a small smile, I say, “Thanks. You know I love you guys to bits. This whole thing is a little scary, but I know you will help me through it.” I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I think I like Colt. And when I say like, I meanlike.More than like.”
Lily is trying very hard not to shoot to the ceiling, though she’s not doing the best job of hiding her smile.
“You can gush, Lily.”
“Really? Thanks.” She gets to her feet and starts to dance and sing, “I knew it! I knew it! Willow likes Colton!” she whispers so whoever is in the cafeteria won’t hear. “Willow likes Colton!” She drops down in her seat. “Okay, it’s out of my system now.”
“So your fake relationship turned into a real relationship,” Chloe says with a smile. “Just like my parents.”
“This is so awesome.” Ava’s grin is so wide, it’s practically swallowing her entire face. “Colton is such a good guy, Willow. The way he pulled you out of the mob yesterday and made sure he got you to safety was just so…”
“Romantic!” Lily gushes.
“Totally,” Ava agrees.
I hold up my hands. “You’re forgetting one thing, though.”
They look at me with confused expressions.
“Colt doesn’t feel that way about me. He likes Vanessa. She’s the reason he agreed to the fake relationship in the first place. To try to get her jealous.”
They’re quiet as they frown, each one of them looking crushed.
“I totally forgot about her,” Lily admits.
“So did I,” I tell her. “When it was just him and me, it felt like we were the only two people in our own little world. He wasn’t popular. He was just…Colt.”
“Are you sure he still likes her, though?” Chloe asks. “I don’t see him looking at her like he still pines after her. It seemed like he was totally smitten by you when you guys danced at his party.”
I shrug. “He put on an act. We both did.”
“Except…you weren’t pretending, were you?” Ava asks.
I sigh and shake my head.
“This sucks.” Lily gets up and wraps her arms around me. “Willow finally meets a guy she likes and he’s taken.”
