Page 59 of Twisted Lies

It takes a moment for the realization to wash over me. She thinks I’m going to a funeral. I smile weakly and don’t correct her as I slip her shoes on my feet. It takes me a minute to realize that Charlotte has taken the black coat out of the box and is wearing it. It looks good on her, especially with her long pale hair. She slips it off and holds it out to me. I slip it on.

“You look very lovely, Astrid,” coos Charlotte, “I want to take a picture.”

I try to look casual, as if having my picture taken is my norm. But I’ll never be one of those people that are okay with getting their picture taken. She holds up her phone, and I can barely recognize myself even though I’m standing right there.

I stand in front of the mirror, holding the purse. And I’m pleased with the overall look. I finally look like I’m in Bryce Shelton’s league. My gaze travels down and slowly back up until my eyes catch on Charlotte’s. Does she know I can see her giving me that dirty look? The contempt in her eyes is intense. She looks like she wants to eat my heart.

I step into the bathroom to change quickly, and when I walk back into the room, Wren and Gemma are gone. Charlotte is sitting calmly on her bed, looking at her tablet. I place the clothing back in the box carefully. We avoid looking at one another as she speaks to me.

“So, when’s the big day?”

I cringe a little. “Friday. He didn’t say where.”

“Knowing Bryce, he won’t want to eat around here,” she replies unhesitatingly, “He may drive into Boston, but there are some delightful places along the coast. And there are some cute places right here and also in Vermont.”

“Did you tell him to take me out?” I ask her.

Charlotte puts down her tablet, and her expression displays annoyance. “I told both of you that you should just get it over with. This attraction is just a distraction. Once you both realize that there’s not much else after sex, you’ll thank me for being so patient.”

Frowning, I lift the box and then put it down. I definitely don’t want to rush back to my room. But I also don’t want to stay here and watch Charlotte pat herself on the back for playing the weirdest matchmaker in the world.

I pick the common study area, which is empty, and I set the box down on the table as I check my phone. I send a text to Roni, letting her know that I’m in here. I don’t have long to wait as Roni appears to fetch me.

“Sorry, I didn’t know,” I whisper as we enter our room.

Thank God she has the window open because it’s funky humid. I set the box down on the table.

“He came by to talk,” she replies smiling, “and it just happened.”

Later, when I have dinner with Roni and Terri, his face flames redder than the tomatoes in our salad. I don’t tease him. Not only because Roni is super protective, but teasing Terri is just wrong. It’s so easy to make his bottom lip tremble that it’s lame to do it.

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