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“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.
“Oh, now you want to talk? Couldn’t be bothered to tell me before.”
“What was I supposed to say?” I hold my arms out wide. “I was fucking furious when Remy told me because I knew how you’d feel when you found out. I told him he was an asshole.”
She sets the glue on the counter and ducks her head.
I approach her slowly and pull her against my chest. As soon as she snakes her arms around my middle, I blow out a slow, relieved breath.
“I feel so dumb,” she mumbles against my shirt.
“Don’t. Remy’s just being his overbearing self. He thinks he’s doing the right thing?—”
“Don’t stick up for him.”
“He’s not as clever as he thinks he is.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “Torch wasn’t lying. I knew he was into you at your birthday party. I’m not surprised he jumped at Remy’s suggestion at all.”
She squeezes me tighter and shakes her head, her cheek sliding against my T-shirt. “At least now I don’t feel bad.”
“For what?” Dread fills my chest as I ask the question.
“Not…I don’t know.” She quickly pulls away.
“Hey.” I rest my hands on her shoulders, holding her in place. “You don’t have anything to feel bad about, okay?”
“Ugh.” She squeezes her eyes shut. “What was he doing anyway? Running back to give Remy updates?”
Probably. “I really don’t know.”
“I’m so embarrassed.” She pokes her fist into my stomach. “Why couldn’t you just have said something?”
“Molly.” I pull back so I can look at her face. “I would’ve sounded like a jealous asshole, accusing Torch of doing Remy’s bidding. I had enough trouble trying to convince you I didn’t cheat on you.” I think it through a bit more. “I wanted you back because you wanted to be with me, not because you were hurt by someone else.”
She squeezes her eyes shut and hugs me tighter. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m just trying to explain why I didn’t tell you. I don’t like keeping secrets from you. I thought about saying something the night of the carnival.” I squeeze her closer. “But I couldn’t stand the thought of being the one to cause that hurt. I’d already done enough.”
She sniffles. “You didn’t do anything.”
“Yeah, I did. It wasn’t intentional but you still got hurt because of me.”
“I was unhappy at the carnival without you,” she admits.
“Yeah.” Should I admit that I followed her around like a creep? Sure, why not? “You looked like you were having fun with your friends.”
“I did…” Her voice trails off and her eyes widen as realization slams into her. “I knew it! You didn’t ‘guess’ I liked that bunny. You saw me trying to win it!”
“Sure did. You were cute as hell, trying so hard to sink those little skulls in the baskets.”
“Let me guess.” She huffs and rolls her eyes. “You won the first time you tried.”
“No, it took me two turns.” I shrug and arc my hand through the air like I’m playing basketball. “The trick was to gently lob the ball into the side of the basket, so it rolled in instead of hitting hard and bouncing out.”
“Good to know for next year.” She raises one questioning eyebrow. “If you’ll still take me?”
“Hell yeah, I will.” I rest my hands at her waist. “Only if you wear that sexy little dress again for me.”
“Sexy?” She holds her hand up to her throat. “The one with the high collar?”
