Page 9 of Face-Off with my Childhood Best Friend

At the sound of Neil calling my name, I quickly move toward Oscar, entwining my fingers with his.

“Sorry,” he whispers. “I can’t stand anyone talking to you like that.”

“You did once,” I reply as we take our places at the end of the runway.

“And I’ve regretted it every day since,” he murmurs.

I turn to him and consider him for a moment, before I admit. “Me too.”

Chapter 4

Oscar

Pacing back and forth on the sidewalk, I can feel the cool night air stinging my cheeks as I wait for Nadia outside the venue.

My nerves are on edge, and I feel a wave of worry wash over me. Will she hate how I dealt with Neil? Will she understand I hated how he spoke to her?

I groan.

I scan the next stream of people exiting the building, searching for the one person I need to speak to. The only thing on my mind is whether my outburst jeopardized any chance of a future with Nadia.

I couldn’t help myself.

One word was all that he needed to say to her, yet he struggled with it like he thought she was beneath him.

I know I threatened him, but I would never pull the team out of the event, not when it raised money for charity.

Though he never needed to know that.

My heart drops as I catch sight of her, walking towards me with a casual yet stunning style. She’s wearing jeans, a tee shirt, black boots, and a pale blue coat draped over her arm.

I feel a slight ease in my churning stomach as she smiles and walks towards me.

“You did it,” she says, her voice filled with a warmth that I never expected. Her green eyes lighting up. “You could be a model.”

I push my fingers through my dark hair and grin. “I could.”

Nadia laughs. “Where are we going?”

“I’m sorry about tonight.” I take her hand, wanting her to understand just how bad I feel. I know this is her career and I shouldn’t get involved.

“Don’t worry about it.” She shakes her head. “He won’t remember me tomorrow, but he’ll treat the next girls … or guys… the same way.”

“Still…”

She lifts her palm to stop me. “Dinner?”

I grin and extend my arm, inviting her to link arms with me. She latches onto the crook of my elbow. “I know a place. It’s quiet and we can have a chat about old times.”

“Lovely.”

As we walk to the restaurant, memories flood back, remembering how easy it was with Nadia. How we laughed and joked about stupid stuff, but we were so much younger.

“Do you remember when we met at midnight because there was going to be an eclipse and we didn’t want to miss it?”

A playful giggle escapes her lips, bringing a smile to mine face. “And found out we were a day early.”

“Which made it all the sweeter because we sneaked out the next night too.” I remind her.

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