Page 15 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

“Thank you so much.” Rosie holds the stem, swirling the liquid around slowly.

I clear my throat. “Yeah, thanks.”

“Your avocado egg rolls should be out shortly,” she says cheerily, and with that, she bounds off to check on another table.

“Hmm, not bad.” Rosie hums, bringing the glass to her lips for a second sip. “What do you think?”

“I don’t really like wine in general.”

She huffs in indignation. “Of course not.”

Annoyance flashes through me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She angles closer, elbows on the table, until she’s close enough that she’s able to whisper. “I know how you like your alcohol. Licked off the tits of whatever willing girl is throwing herself at you on any given night.”

I bristle, hands clenching into fists on top of the table.

“ButI’mthe slut. Have you ever wondered why guys like you, ones who fuck anything that walks, think thatI’mthe one with a problem? You and me, we’re the same.”

“We’re nothing alike.”

She rolls her eyes, leaning back. “So you’re telling me you don’t like sex and haven’t had a lot of it with lots of different women? You’re the one who got yourprofessorpregnant.”

I grind my teeth but say nothing. I’m not interested in escalating this discussion into a full-blown argument.

“Yeah,” she laughs humorlessly. Then she takes a gulp of wine. “That’s what I thought.”

We eat our meal mostly in silence, save for the sounds of our forks hitting the dishes. I feel like an asshole, because she’s right. She’s called me out on this before, and I keep falling into the same trap.

Will I ever learn from my mistakes?

Probably not.

4

ROSIE

Daire:The offer was accepted.

I have to read the text message three times before the meaning becomes clear. Once I realize he’s talking about the townhouse, I want to smack myself in the face. My brain is officially fried from studying. It’s time for bed.

Me: That’s good.

Daire: Closing is in a month. We’ll both need to be present.

Me: Why me?

Daire: So the deed can be in both of our names.

Me: Why? You’re paying for it. I don’t need my name on it.

Daire:

Daire: Because we’re going to be married. I’m putting your name on it.

Now I’m the one rolling my eyes, but for real this time.

Me: It’s fine with me to leave my name off it. No hard feelings, I swear.

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