Page 22 of Love Off Script

“Nah. If I see something I like, I take it. I don’t need handouts.” She gave a half-hearted shrug, and I hoped she developed a zit on the corner of her mouth.

“Right. How about that caramel latte?” This conversation was over, but now I didn’t know what to say to Shiloh.

How could I, in good conscience, set her up with this egomaniac?

“Sure, name?”

I told her and waited to the side. When Shiloh finally looked up, I smiled at her, and she returned the gesture. She was too sweet, and Ember would eat her alive.

“Fuck,” I mumbled, and just then, Ember called out, “Cat,” knowing full well that wasn’t what I had said.

Great. Not only was she full of herself, she was the typical mean girl who had to get the last word. But she had no idea who she was messing with.

Chapter 12

Shiloh

Ididn’t know what was happening in the line, but Caz had been taking forever. She appeared to be studying Ember, and I wondered if my biggest fear had occurred—she realized how amazing she was and wanted to be with her, too.

I didn’t stand a chance against that competition. Maybe if I went up there, I could break the spell, and she would remember why she was here.

I stood behind her for a minute, but she didn’t acknowledge me. She was so consumed by Ember that it was like no one else was in the room. I tapped her shoulder, but she appeared so angry at the interruption that I cowered down. She did apologize before winking at me, but something was off.

I quickly returned to my table, purposely avoiding any lingering glances in that direction. Not having any information about what was going on made my mind run wild with worst-case scenarios, which only added to my awkwardness.

As I sipped my coffee, I tried to work on my crossword, but I couldn’t even read the clues as everything felt too heavy to function. When I finally gave up, I peeked in Caz’s direction, and she smiled. But it was off—too big—fake. It made me think she felt guilty. I tried not to jump to conclusions, but that was how I got most of my exercise.

When she had her coffee in hand, she joined me, but I pretended to be still engrossed in my puzzle.

“Is this seat taken?” Her voice sounded normal—no nerves or anything.

Maybe I had let my mind run away, and nothing had happened.

“By all means, please.” I waved my hand in front of the chair, and she pulled it out, sitting across from me.

“So, have you gotten any other information that might be useful?” She took a big sip of her coffee before looking like she wanted to throw it up.

It seemed like her throat was fighting her to swallow, but eventually she must have won as she opened her mouth, gasping for air.

“Will you excuse me?” she seethed through gritted teeth, and I nodded, confused. She marched up to the counter, and Ember wore that breathtaking smile. I, again, was juggling assumptions like it was a full-time job.

Was she pretending her drink was disgusting so she could get more time with Ember? It would be an excellent ploy to keep me from being suspicious—if I were someone else. I picked up my book to cover my face, but they were in my direct line of sight.

Ember’s ethereal laugh floated through the air, and I saw Caz place her hand on her forearm. There was no doubt they were flirting, and neither was paying attention to me, so I quietly collected my things and snuck out the door. There was no reason for me to stay here and watch my supposed friend try to secure a date with my dream girl.

None of it mattered. I knew this would happen, and it was time to return to reality. Besides, my lunch break was over, and work was waiting for me.

I was halfway down the block when I heard, “Shy, wait.”

I knew it was Caz’s voice, but I had never heard her call me that. She probably realized she had screwed up her program, and now she’d come to beg for forgiveness. I was tempted to feign ignorance like I didn’t hear her, but I was afraid she would be upset, so I stopped.

“Hey, where are you going?” She reached for me, but I pulled back.

“Sorry, I got a work emergency.” Why couldn’t I have come up with something more believable than that?

“Oh really? What?” I couldn’t tell if she was calling me on my lie or if she was genuinely curious.

The only problem was I didn’t have an answer.

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