Page 43 of Breakaway

“Nevaeh and I are going to my friend’s place. It’s his wife’s birthday.”

“Oh…” The brunette falls silent, and even without turning around, I know she finally decided I’m worth paying attention to. It feels like her gaze is digging holes in my back. “Any plans for tonight?”

“Not really.”

“Maybe you want to make a quick detour on your way home? I still have the wine you gave me.” The sweetness in her voicemakes me want to gag. “We can watch something together. Eat, drink, and…talk.”

The pause irks me. I’m tempted to turn around and throw the M&Ms in her face. Why does she think it’s okay to hit on a guy when he’s with another woman?

“Sorry, Claire. I’m pretty sure we’ll be home late.”

“I don’t care if it’s late,” she chirps. “I’m sure your sister won’t mind if you come over.”

I swivel my head around so fast, my neck hurts. “I’m not his sister.” I snarl, glowering at her.

Her eyebrows knit together, her eyes dancing between Roman and me. “No?”

“No,” I mimic her, scowling.

Turning back around, I hurry down the stairs and storm out of the building. Assuming I’m his sister? This is ridiculous.

Roman and this Claire girl linger behind, and when they finally join me outside, she doesn’t look happy. She shoots me a glare full of anger, and then she walks away. Swaying her hips like she’s a fucking runway model.

“Ready to go?” Roman sidles up to me, scrutinizing me with an amused look on his face. His trembling lips give away his attempts to hide his smile.

Rolling my eyes, I head toward his BMW. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of teasing me. Once we’re in the car, he drives away from the building. He keeps silent, just like me, and it dawns on me that maybe the silent treatment is a bad idea. I want to know what he told her.

“Who’s the girl?” I ask, half turning to get a better look at him.

“My neighbor,” he replies with a snort. “I thought that was obvious.”

“Gah, you’re impossible! Who is she to you?”

Roman glances at me, quickly looking me up and down with an open smile playing on his lips. “My neighbor. Claire is my neighbor.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes.”

My knee starts bouncing, as I bite the inside of my cheek. “She’s weird. Why the hell did she think I was your sister?”

“She thought you were my older sister.”

“What?” My eyebrows go up; his words surprise me to the core. First, she assumed I’m his sister. Second, that I’m older?! I should’ve thrown the candies at her stupid face. It would’ve been so satisfying.

“She said she thought we were siblings because we’re both blonds. I have no idea why she thought you were older though.”

“Because she’s an idiot. That’s why.”

“But you are older,” he taunts me, boiling my blood so much I’m ready to scream.

“Did you really need to remind me?” I drawl. I still haven’t decided how I feel about him being one year younger than me.

“Kinda. You’re cute when you’re pissed off.”

I rap my fingers on my knee, feigning indifference even though the butterflies in my stomach are performing some sort of ritual, fluttering their wings harder and harder.

“She was obviously hitting on you, so I find it hard to believe there’s nothing between you two.” I decide to go all in and be extremely blunt. I need to know.

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