Page 61 of Endo
“I’m not.”
“Lena,” Bex says, leaning back in her chair, “you’ve been zoning out for the past five minutes, staring at the waves like they hold the answers to life’s mysteries. Spill. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly, taking a sip of my lemonade to avoid their knowing gazes.
Cece smirks, propping her chin on her hand. “I was right, it’s Reign, isn’t it?”
I roll my eyes. “Can we not?”
“Oh, come on,” Bex says, nudging my foot under the table. “We saw you in the pits with him for the season opener. How was that?”
“It was fine,” I say with a shrug, trying to keep my voice casual. “They did good. I mean a few slip ups, but it’s early in the season and they’re working with a new team. It’s expected.”
“And?” Cece presses.
“And what?”
Cece groans dramatically. “And what about you and Reign? What’s going on there?”
“Nothing,” I lie, too quickly.
Bex snorts. “Yeah, okay. We totally believe you.”
I glare at her, but it’s half-hearted. They’re relentless, and they know me too well to let this go.
“Look,” I say finally, leaning forward, “nothing’s ‘going on.’ We’ve just been... spending some time together.”
Cece’s eyebrows shoot up. “Spending some time together?Perraplease! That sounds suspiciously vague.”
I shake my head, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. “Can we talk about something else? Like, I don’t know, Cece’s disaster Tinder date?”
Cece groans, throwing her hands up dramatically, her frustration practically vibrating off her. “Ugh, fine! But don’t think for a second this whole thing with you andRomeois over, Lena. We aredefinitelycircling back to this shit. Don’t even try me.”
Bexley smirks, leaning back and crossing her arms, already ready to back Cece up. “She’s not wrong, you know. You’re not off the hook, chica.”
I roll my eyes, biting back a grin. “Oh no, not the Cece Inquisition. I’mterrified.”
Cece narrows her eyes, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at me. “Youshouldbe. But fine, I’ll let you off for now because Ineedto tell y’all about the Tinder date from hell last night.Dios mío, buckle up, this one’s a fucking novella.”
I raise an eyebrow, already bracing myself. “Alright, spill it.”
Cece leans forward, her expression the perfect mix of exasperation and disbelief. “Okay, so first of all, this guy says he’s 6’3” on his profile, right? Naturally, I’m like,great, let me wear my heels and look fine as hell. But when I show up? Thiscabrónis barely 5’9”.Withshoes on.”
Bexley snorts so hard she almost chokes on her drink. “No. Not the height lie. Thenerve.”
“Right?” Cece flings her hands in the air like she’s throwing away his nonexistent credibility. “And if that wasn’t bad enough, he walks in wearing aFedora.I shit you not. A fucking Fedora.”
I lose it, laughing so hard I nearly spill my drink. “Stop. No way. You’re lying.”
“I wish,” Cece groans, like she’s reliving the trauma all over again. “And then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, he kept calling mem’lady.Every damn sentence. ‘M’lady, would you like more wine?’‘M’lady, you look so ravishing tonight.’ I wasdyinginside.”
Bexley wheezes, clutching her stomach as she leans over the table. “Notm’lady! Oh my god, Cece, where do you find these fucking losers? Is there some secret app for disasters only you have access to?”
I’m barely holding it together, tears streaming down my face. “Please tell me it didn’t get worse.”
“Oh, it did,” Cece says, holding up a finger for emphasis. “Thispendejopulls out his phone halfway through dinner and starts showing me hiscustom katana collection.Like, full-on samurai shit.”
“¡No manches!” I yell, slapping the table. “A katana collection? What, was he preparing for the zombie apocalypse or a bad anime audition?”
