Page 97 of The Ruined

“It’s complicated, Pepper. And I… managed to complicate them even more.”

“How?” she gasps. “Did you kiss him? Oh, tell me you kissed him. Did he kiss you back?”

“I didn’t kiss him.” I wince. “I slept with him.”

She gasps dramatically. “You’re sleeping with him? Wait! Is this a bucket list thing or are you two finally giving into all this sexual tension?”

“Neither. It’s more of a 'I’m pathetic and self-destructive situation.”

“What?”

“Somehow he thought I had a date to your wedding with Landon, and I…”

She grins. “You didn’t deny it, you little sneak. So, what, he got jealous?”

“He…got a little heated, I think. He insisted that I’m not ready.”

Pepper giggles. “Sounds like he's not ready. Who do you think you are, having sex at twenty-five? So, how’d you end up in the sack?”

“He wanted to…prepare me.”

She nods like this is a thing. “Lovely. And how long has this been going on?”

“Two weeks.”

She grins and shakes her head. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Yes, I am. Did you miss the part about my imaginary date next week?”

“So just tell him you called it off.”

“I can’t. The deal was that this is a no-strings-attached, physical learning experience. If I tell him I called off the date, he’ll think I’m falling in love or something.”

“Are you?”

My heart skips a beat. “I’m not falling in love. I’ve loved him from the beginning.”

Pepper sighs. “I love you, Charlie. If Noah never says it, just know that I do.”

“I’m cutting you off.”

We arrive at the Inn fifteen minutes before the start time on the invitation for the local guests.

“How do I look?” Pepper asks, spreading her arms like she’s Vanna White.

“Don’t you have a different outfit for the after-party?”

“I do.”

I hand her my room key. “I’m in two sixteen. Change and freshen up.”

My tipsy friend frowns. “Why do you have a room?”

I’m not about to give the bride more to worry about by telling her there are still last-minute details to prepare for her big day.

Details I’m specifically responsible for.

“Um…for just such an occasion. Now go change.”

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