Page 55 of Best Part of Me

“Thanks.” I take the cold brew and give her a curt smile.

“Everything okay?”

“Yep. You?”

She cocks her head, and her mouth opens before closing again. Clearly, she doesn’t believe me.

I press my hand to her lower back and usher her out the door. “C’mon, we better get going. You’re gonna love Joshua Tree.”

Back in the Jeep, Camille says, “You wouldn’t lie to me, Mav, would you?”

I whip my head in her direction as I’m backing out of the parking spot. Her eyes hold mine. There’s a sadness conveyed there, all glassy and knowing. Like, she already knows the answer but wants me to confirm it.

So I do.

“No. Never.”

A pitiful flattened smile forms on her lips as she nods slightly and glances away to peer out the passenger window.

My heart sinks. For some reason, she expected the lie but still hoped for the truth. It’s stupid—the lie. And it’s small. But the worry over Jones catching us is anything but small.

I don’t know if I’m more anxious over Jones finding out the two of us are together or worried he’ll interrupt our time together. All we get are these few days. Then we go home and go our separate ways. Forever.

Guess I’m greedy. Because I want every single second I was promised with her.

CHAPTER15

Camille

Chris

After a few days here, I don’t even miss you. In fact, I understand why you did what you did.

I forgive you.

But I hope you’ll forgive me for this.

Aphoto of Chris standing on a white sandy beach next to a beautiful blonde woman with sun-kissed skin pops onto my phone screen. Even beneath a large, floppy hat and her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, she’s easily recognizable. Olivia, my bridesmaid.

Am I hurt? A little. But am I surprised? Not in the slightest. He’s free to fuck around with any woman he wants.

So I let him off the hook.

Me

I forgive you.

* * *

I’m backto doodling on the map. I’m finding it therapeutic. Each national park gets a different doodle. Something specific that will remind me of that park. I don’t know what I’ll do with it when our trip is over. Is it something I will want to hold onto or destroy?

My phone vibrates from where it sits on the console. I don’t have to look to know it’s Jones. And I’m not an idiot. I also know Jones is at fault for Maverick’s mood shifting earlier.

This road trip is all a ruse. We’re playing make believe. In a matter of days, it will be over. But our real lives aren’t simply on hold. We’re getting bombarded with it left and right. And as much as we try, it’s impossible to neglect.

Chris going on our honeymoon with my bridesmaid, Olivia isn’t all that surprising. And I wasn’t lying when I told him I forgive him. Though I may not forgive Olivia. Friends don’t do that sort of thing to one another.

As I doodle, and one of my regular playlists lands on “Colorado” by Jonah Kagen, Maverick passes me a curious look. You don’t come from Maple Ridge, Colorado, and not carry a sense of deeply embedded pride. We’ll find any way to satisfy our sense of honor for our state.

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