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If flowers was the first step, what was the second?
I played back our exchange in my mind.
She thought I was going to London.
I’d told her I wasn’t, not without her.
She hadn’t believed me. She said I hadn’t told her about London.
That part she had right, but she didn’t give me the chance to explain.
She still thought I was committed to going.
Dad was under the same impression—another fucking problem.
Telling her again I wasn’t going to London hadn’t changed her mind. Why not? I’d never lied to her.
I turned at the sound of a key in the door, and the door opened.
It was Serena, followed by Duke.
My face must have fallen a yard at the disappointment. I’d hoped it would be Nicole coming back for something, giving me another chance to explain.
“Don’t look so glad to see us,” Serena said. “We went out to get dinner fixings.” She lugged a grocery bag to the counter.
“Filet, man,” Duke added, bringing another bag to the kitchen.
“Or,” Serena said, opening the fridge. “We could have what you’re having. A big bowl of pity-party soup, is it?”
I shook my head and sat in the chair. “Very funny.”
“So…how did your talk with Nicole go?” she asked.
“Not good.”
Duke pulled a beer from the fridge and came my way. “She didn’t look happy. What’d you do?” He took a seat on the couch across from me.
“Nothing,” I complained. “It’s what she thinks I’m going to do that has her bothered.”
Serena joined Duke on the couch. “Why’d you let her leave, then?”
I rolled my eyes. “What am I supposed to do? Tie her up and make her stay?”
“It worked for me,” Duke quipped.
Serena punched his shoulder. “Like you’re the poster boy for good behavior.”
“Well, it did,” he said, rubbing his shoulder.
“And what are you doing here, exactly?” Serena asked.
“Figuring out a plan,” I said.
Duke huffed. “Wuss move, man.”
“Huh?”
“No. I get it. You don’t care enough to want to keep her, so what’s the problem?” Serena asked.
