Page 53 of The Friend Zone

Especially since I have a lot on my mind right now. I look at the email I received this morning from the insurance company that should pay out the sum we need to rebuild the Zeta house—or at least most of it—and tighten my grip on my phone.

My knuckles turn white but reading the email for the tenth time since this morning doesn’t change its content.

The insurance company has concluded their investigation and they aren’t going to pay us a cent. They deemed the fire intentional.Arsonis the word they used. They attached a photo of the hair curler that caused the fire as proof.

On one hand, I should feel better that the hair curler with my name on it didn’t malfunction. On the other hand, the fact that the on-off switch was jammed so it would be impossible for it to turn itself off opens an entirely new can of worms.

Who could have done something like that?

Bianca hates me.

It’s my first thought. But it takes more than my suspicions to find the culprit. I have absolutely no proof that Bianca has anything to do with the fire. To be honest, the fraught relationship between us is the only thing that makes me think she could be responsible. If I look at things as objectively as possible, Bianca would be the last person who would have a reason to burn down our house.

There’s the fact that her attempt to take my presidency was unsuccessful, but she’s our master of ceremonies. That gives her a seat on the Greek Council and I’m a senior. It’s only a matter of time before Bianca could have the presidency. I doubt she’d have done anything to ruin her dream of occupying the presidential suite next year.

If I’m right however, that means that someone else hates me enough to do something extreme. I’ve always thought every Zeta sister loved the way I lead our sorority. I rack my brain thinking about who could have been harboring so much resentmenttoward me. I come up empty but maybe I should look at the sisters who voted against me during the no confidence vote. They’re obviously unhappy enough with my leadership to want me replaced. The question is if that’s enough to push anyone to risk hurting every Zeta in more ways than one?

I close my eyes, resting my head on the supple leather of the limo seat. I’m sure there’s going to be a criminal investigation and I should let the police figure out that part.

The part that’s for me to figure out is how do we rebuild the house without the insurance money?

The Dean was clear that without a house on campus, our chapter will be closed down permanently.

I can’t let that happen. I can’t let a tradition that started when our college was founded to end like this. Not only for the past and current sisters, but for the future Zetas. For girls like Talia, who dream of pledging Zeta Theta Beta and continuing our legacy.

When we get to the Bridgeport U arena, Luigi insists on escorting me inside.

While they aren’t alumni, Luca, Blaze and Cash were able to get seats in the VIP box for all of us. The town’s pro team is affiliated with their Division One college counterpart. There’s even a mentorship program where the Bridgeport Warriors personally help cultivate the talents of the town’s college team.

“Luigi, are you sure you could park right by the entrance?” I ask, worried that Luca’s limo might get towed or something.

“Positive,signorina.” He chuckles. “Not to sound arrogant, but the Warriors players areroyaltyaround here.”

I laugh at his pun and follow him inside the arena.

“Bay!” Lakyn runs out of the VIP box and literally runs me over. “I missed you so much.”

“I can feel that,” I tease her, hugging her just as tight as she’s holding me. “Have you been working out? You’re cutting off my oxygen supply.”

She doesn’t let me go. “Shut up and promise me that we’ll never go almost six months without seeing each other in person.”

Guilt expands in my chest. “I’m sorry, Lakey. I shouldn’t have run away the way I did.”

She grabs my chin with gentle fingers, forcing me to look at her. “Hey, I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. I just missed my big sister.”

I can’t help the smile her words cause. “Are you buttering me up? You hate it when I call myself your big sister.”

Lakyn shrugs. “Only when you make those seven minutes sound like seven years. But seriously, I’m so excited to see you.”

Blaze pulls me out of Lakyn’s oxygen cutting hug. “Bay, how are you? You look amazing.”

Cash gives me one of his famous bear hugs. “It’s so nice to see you. I swear Lakyn has been so excited to see you, she hasn’t been sleeping all week.”

“I doubt the excitement about my visit is what kept her up all night,” I snort.

Luca comes to offer me a flute of champagne. “You aren’t wrong,” he chuckles, confirming my hunch that they spend their nights doing a lot more than sleeping. “But we’ve all been looking forward to seeing you. You’re staying with us tonight, right? I had the royal shopper fly in tomorrow morning with a selection of bridesmaids dresses for you to try on.”

Excitement courses through me. “That sounds awesome. And I wouldn’t dream of staying anywhere else.”

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