Page 42 of Say It Isn't So

Allegra:Oh, the one where you were Team Jacob all the way?

Bianca:I was Team Edward.

Allegra:I’m just saying, it’s obvious Maria likes the friends to lovers trope.

Bianca:LOL! Okay, so to give you the scoop—Knox’s ex, Rina, is at fashion week and she’s changed. A LOT. But you should’ve seen the way she looked at Knox when the three of us were at dinner. Oh, and then right before Knox and I were about to kiss, in came Rina, knocking on his door and interrupting us.

Allegra:Wait, back it up! You were going to kiss?

Maria:But it never happened? Wow, was Rina there knocking on the door to knock something else with him? *boots emoji*

Perla:Okay, I’m late to the party, but, Maria, did you just make a knocking boots joke because, boy, if you did, I missed a lot.

Allegra:Bibi thinks she’s in a love triangle.

Maria:And I’m Team Bianca on this one.

Bianca:You guys, I don’t even know if we need to start making teams yet. I have to talk to Knox, but I’m hoping he told her to get lost last night and that’s the end of that.

Maria:What if it is a love triangle, though? What if Rina doesn’t go away? Or what if Knox doesn’t want her to?

Allegra:Then we’re going to kick his butt. No matter how fine it is.

Bianca:No! Then I’m going to give this my best shot. I won’t let him go again. It was a mistake before and I don’t make the same mistake twice.

Maria:Joey Conti. Joey Barone. Billy Davies. Mark Fischer. Peter from high school.

Bianca:Anymore!

Perla:Look at you, Bibi. I’m so proud of you. Not long ago you were telling me how you didn’t know how I could love Frankie without stressing about losing him, and now you’re willing to put yourself out there, knowing you could lose Knox.

Allegra:Perla! Why would you say that?

Bianca:It’s fine, really. It’s not like I hadn’t thought of it myself. But I’m willing to let go of my fear of loss for Knox. He’s worth it, I just know he is. I really care about this man. I wished we’d been more than friends last time, and this is our second chance. I’m taking it.

Allegra:You go, girl!

Perla:I’m rooting for you.

Maria:Yeah, but if he breaks your heart, you know we’ll go all sister on him.

Bianca:Thanks, guys, you’re the best!

Sorry, Daddy, but this is my life, and I’m going to live it how I want.

* * *

Another line, another presentation.

Slipping my phone back in my bag, I looked around. There were so many faces, some I’d seen before and others—

“Bianca Morelli, are you following me?” someone ahead of me in queue asked.

Smiling, I looked at her. She was familiar, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on who she was. “I’m sorry, but I can’t remember your name,” I admitted. I saw so many people, especially at these events it was a wonder I could remember my own name at the end of them.

The woman laughed and slipped her phone in the pocket of her oversized coat. “Charmaine. We sat next to each other in New York at the Leffler show.”

I nodded. “That’s right. Yes, Charmaine. Sorry, I don’t have a great memory for names. How are you?”

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