Page 173 of Come Break My Heart Again

“Hi,” Reese replies. Her tone is polite. Cool.

I walk over to the cabinet, searching for the s’mores ingredients.

“Weird that we’re both here, huh?”

“Notthatweird,” I say. “I’m glad you and Knox could come.”

“I didn’t want to. Tuck insisted, and Ryder promised he would be here.”

I find the marshmallows and chocolate, then keep searching for the graham crackers. “Well, it seemed to work out. Tucker is a good friend to have.”

“Keira is lucky to have him. He’s not marrying up.”

I grab the box of graham crackers then turn around to face her. “No one said that he is. But he’s lucky to have Keira too.”

I don’t care if Reese’s prejudice is a product of her upbringing. Of the hierarchy I’m too familiar with. If she wants to insult my best friend in front of me, we’re going to have a problem.

Reese tilts her head to study me. “I was never jealous of you, you know. Everyone was. Everyone talked about you. All the girls were jealous of your flashy car and your big house and your expensive clothes and your perfect hair. And all the guys had a crush on you. But I thought your life looked a little … empty.Tooperfect, you know?”

I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow. “Do I know whatmylife is like? Yeah, I do.”

“I was never jealous of you … until that day at the pond. I’d seen Ryder stare at you, but I figured he was just checking you out. But the way he talked to you, I’d never seen him act like that with anyone before. And I wassojealous. I’m not now. I have Knox, and Ryder and I will always be friends. He’s never once looked at me the way he’s been looking at you all day. So … what are you doing?”

“I—what?”

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you and Ryder together?”

“We’re … it’s complicated.”

Reese shakes her head. “Is it?”

Is it?

“If you want me, I’m yours.”

I told Ryder I’d never forgive him for breaking my heart again. But forgetting him has been the problem. Seven years, and I haven’t figured out how to forget him.

“I’ll bring those out.” Reese reaches for the s’mores supplies sitting on the counter.

“Thanks,” I say.

I’m not sure exactly what I’m thanking her for. Reese doesn’t either, based on the flash of uncertainty in her expression.

But she nods and says, “You’re welcome,” before walking out onto the deck.

I use the downstairs bathroom, then head back outside.

Tucker has pulled a guitar out from somewhere. I had no idea he played guitar, and it turns out, he actuallycan’t. He just strums random strings as a laughing Keira records him on her phone.

I don’t walk back to my empty seat. I approach Ryder, who’s still sitting next to Knox.

He glances over when I’m still a few feet away, watching me near him. My stomach flips, catching the apprehension on his face. The bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallows.

My fingers twist nervously, and I’m glad the long hems of my sleeves cover my hands. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Ryder responds.

“I was, uh … you wanna take a walk? With me?”

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