Page 20 of Hard to Fake

The other three are guys, presumably their significant others.

Two are strangers, but the third is instantly familiar.

My happy buzz disintegrates.

Blond hair. Perfect smile. Tom Ford polo.

An unpleasant tsunami of emotions crashes into me.

“Unbelievable,” I mutter.

“What’s wrong?” Nova asks.

“One of my sorority sisters is bringing my ex to this reunion.”

Sierra asks, “How big an ex are we talking?”

The floor spins and I’m not drunk enough to blame the alcohol.

Not yet, anyway.

“We grew up together. He was my first everything, and his family was a big donor to my mom’s campaign.”

“So, things ended on good terms?” Sierra guesses.

I reach across the island for a liquor bottle, pour some into a shot glass, and toss it back.

“I’ll take that as a no.” Sierra holds the bottle away before I can pour another. “Who are you taking to the event?"

“I was planning to go solo.”

“You still can,” Nova insists.

The idea of showing up and staying confident and resolute and convincing my sorority sis I can rep her brand better than Caroline while she has Kevin at her side, making her look good and making me insecure in front of Elise…

No, thank you.

I mentally run through the guys on my phone I could rope into a semi-romantic weekend in Vail. Plenty of successful, attractive men.

They all have baggage.

If I bring someone random, it will seem opportunistic, like I'm motivated by jealousy or competitiveness.

I take another shot.

I’ve had enough rim runners when Clay comes up behind Nova, snuggling her.“Hey, Pink."

"Tonight, it's Peach," she reminds him.

“Where’s your moustache?” I call.

He reaches a tattooed hand into a pocket and produces a dark, curled chunk of hair. “Kept getting stuck up my nose.”

Seeing them together, how Clay’s grumpy expression brightens when he sees Nova and the way she comes alive around him, is really sweet.

With the alcohol buzzing through my system, I can admit my pride isn’t the only reason I’m in a mood over my ex attending this Kappa reunion.

“You seen my dog?" I ask, irritated.

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