Page 66 of My Ruthless Neighbor

“Summer—” I place a finger against his lips.

“Shh… Just leave. I’ll handle her.”

He clutches my finger and lowers it. “You don’t know her.”

“Oh, I know plenty. I know her type. Born and bred to conquer the world. They only let their ugly side out when no one’s watching. Because they care too much about what everyone thinks of them.” I smile as a plan begins to form in my head.

“What are you thinking?” He demands and I roll my eyes.

“That… you leave it to your little liar.” I joke and his gaze darkens.

“Now go.” I give him a shove. He doesn’t budge.

“I won’t lie, okay?”

He arches a brow.

“Gah! Just trust me on this.” This time when I usher him forward, he doesn’t protest.

???

Lies fall easily from my lips. I don’t have to think for long to conjure up a story.

Raleigh says I have a great imagination. I come with unconventional thoughts, pluck some scenarios from my mental journal, mix them with believable facts, and voila! A fictional tale is ready to tell.

But I put myself in a tight spot when I promised Archer I wouldn’t lie.

After a bathroom visit, where I righted my clothes and fixed my hair, I make my way to the dining hall.

Meagan’s head is bowed, her attention on the phone in her hand.

Remember, Summer. No lies.

No lies.

No lies.

No lies.

I keep chanting as I begin walking toward her table.

As soon as I reach her, she looks up. Her face is a mask of elegance and softness. She stares at me with a slight frown but her lips don’t lose their smile.

“Hello? Do you need anything?” She asks with feigned innocence. As if she didn’t just catch Archer with me. As if she didn’t make a remark to disparage me.

Yes, I am a waitress. I am practically poor. Yes, the cost of the feast on the table would probably equal my monthly rent.

I never tasted most of the dishes on the table. So what? Who gives this spoiled brat the right to treat me with cruelty? She probably treats everyone below her “rank” with scorn.

I am going to teach you a lesson, Meagan.

You probably got everything you ever wanted. But now it’s time for you to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around you.

I close my eyes.

This is not just for Archer. This is for me and every person like me whom she has treated poorly.

Lights. Camera. Action.

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