Page 73 of Nothing Like the Movies

I mean, it was an asshole move to be in love with someone else’s girlfriend, right? Especially when he was kind of starting to feel like a friend. Like how the hell had he done that, become something similar to a friend?

I didn’t want to like the guy, dammit, because it was unfair for me to feel guilty for wanting her.

She was mine first.

As soon as I left the office, I checked my phone and saw a message from my sister.

Sarah: So?? How’d it go?

I quickly fired off:Shockingly well. I spilled everything and don’t regret it yet.

Sarah: Proud of you, kid.

I replied:Gee thanks, Ma.

Sarah: So how did Liz react?

I wasn’t sure how to explain it, so I just texted:Late to class—I’ll call later.

That was actuallynota lie, so I found an e-scooter and hauled ass toward Kaplan, because we had a test that day that I couldn’t miss.

But as I flew across campus, I was kind of a shitshow of feelings.

And not the ones I’d expected.

I felt like I could cry—literally—because I’d just talked through the entire nightmare and hadn’t wanted to rage. I also wanted to cry with relief because Ihadn’tfelt like crying. Talking about it hadn’t gutted me, which felt like a win.

I finally had closure, it seemed.

But it was the idea of that—having closure—that made me emo as hell.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“You were my new dream.”

—Tangled

Liz

I was pacing around the production office when I heard the door open.

“That isquitethe story,” Clark said, walking over to his desk and dropping his gear.

“Finally,” I said, so happy to see him. I’d blown off my class to wait for him, and it’d been killing me. I’d been pacing like a caged animal, wondering if he was asking Lilith’s questions properly, if Wes was answering him, and if Lilith was going to kill me for my unprofessionalism. “Oh my God, tell me everything that happened. And I’m so sorry for falling apart.”

“Don’t apologize—I get it now,” he said, taking the scrunchie off his wrist and pulling his hair up. “The entire time I walked down here I’ve been thinking about how poor little freshman Lizard must’ve been so sad.”

“Wait—did he mention me?” I asked, scared of the answer.

“Oh, no, he was very careful about that.” Clark crossed his arms and said, “He never even mentioned he had a girlfriend when his dad died.”

“Oh. Good,” I said, relieved. “Now tell me everything he said.”

“I don’t have time,” he said, glancing down at his watch. “I’m late as it is, but you’re going to die when you hear the story. Just pull the card and watch it yourself.”

“Okay. Thank you so much, by the way,” I said, standing to hug him. “I really appreciate you saving my ass.”

“What are boyfriends for?” he teased, hugging me back. “I think Lilith is going to love what your boy gave us.”

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