Page 52 of The First Love Myth

“Dinner was a disaster.”

“Enough of a disaster that you flew back home?”

“Yes,” I reply through gritted teeth. “You have no idea.”

“I guess that’s my cue.” Layla stands then mouths something to Evie before fixing me with a glare that I wholeheartedly return.

We’ve never been on the best terms, but this open hostility is new. What exactly has my girlfriend been whispering in her best friend’s ear? And more importantly, why? Haven’t things been good lately?

Layla walks past, and the room turns icy. I consider an apology, but for what? Evie gave me a key. Evie didn’t mention she had plans. She only held fast that it was not the best idea for her to come to New Jersey with me. I haven’t done anything wrong here. If anything, I’m finally doing something right. I freeze as Layla slips into their shoes. Was my girlfriend in the know? Is that why she refused to come? No, that’s not it. Evieis clearly confused and concerned and weirdly agitated by my sudden appearance.

As soon as Layla is gone, Evie motions for me to join her on the couch. Her eyes are narrowed and focused on me. Whatever she sees, she is not pleased. Her expression darkens, and she clasps her hands in front of her.

“What did you do?” she asks quietly after I sit down.

Wow.Maybe this is a bad idea.

“Why do you assumeIdid something?”

Evie’s gaze bores into me. She’s not going to let this pass. “If you didn’t want to talk about it, why are you here?”

“Because you’re my girlfriend? I’m sorry I ruined your girls’ night. Jesus.”

“This isn’t about girls’ night.” She scoots farther down the couch and away from me. “Tonight was important to Liz, and the fact that you’re not even in the same state as her doesn’t bode well for the outcome.”

“You’re concerned about Liz?” I exclaim.

“No, I’m concerned about you, Cee.” She leans forward, and her expression is sympathetic for the first time since I arrived. But it’s fleeting. There’s no chance I’m getting the girlfriend answer tonight. “What happened?”

“My mother was feeling chatty.”

Evie rubs her forehead, a sign that she’s beyond frustrated. “I’m trying here. I really am. But it’s been a bad few days, so if you can tell me what’s going on without putting it through the Cecilia filter, that would be great.”

What. The. Fuck?I should leave. This isn’t going to end well. Evie’s not in the mood. I’m not in the mood. But if I leave now, I don’t think I’ll be coming back. And I can’t risk that. Not now. I take her hands in mine and give her a once-over. She’s frazzled and tired and weary. I’ve never seen Evie weary. Did somethinghappen on her trip home? I hadn’t even asked in the frenzy of my own trip, but maybe I should have.

“My mom and my dad are apparently friends. She’s been helping him with Zoey all this time.”

Evie sits back with a huff, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

“And then my father showed up for dessert.” Desperation and incredulity war in my voice. I still can’t fathom how any of them thought ambushing me was a good idea.

“And you left?” Evie’s face crumples, a knowing and sad expression coming over her. Because if I had only left, I would’ve gone back to the hotel. I wouldn’t be here prowling around her living room like a caged animal.

“I mean, I talked to Liz first, but she made her preference clear.”

“Did you stop to consider why Liz invited him?” Evie asks, her voice shaking. “Or why your mother did what she did? Or what a night like tonight might have meant to Zoey?”

Definitely not the girlfriend treatment tonight, but it’s too late to stop now. “No, because none of them stopped to think about what having my father there would do to me.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Of course you don’t,” I spit out. “But I’ve happily kept my distance from the B-side of the Reid family for almost two decades, and Liz forced Zoey on me when I was there. But I will not let her—”

“Fix you?”

Ouch.Evie’s not holding back tonight. “I’m not broken. People are estranged from their parents all the time. It’s my right to be angry.”

“Are you really still angry, Cee? Or are you annoyed that there’s no longer a valid reason for you to be angry?”

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