Page 59 of The Boy I Hate

Wild Stallion:Did you hear about theparty?

Shegrinned.

Mona:Yes

Wild Stallion:I’ll see youthere.

Mona:Seeyou.

She tuckedher phone back in her bag, just as Renee came back into the room wearing a green mask with slices of cucumbers on her lids. An esthetician was guiding her through the Salon, and finally plopped Renee down in the seat beside Samantha, and proceeded to attach a headrest to the back of herchair.

“I didn’t want to wait back there all alone,” Renee said. “I missed youtoomuch.”

Samantha laughed and hung her bag back on the wall. “Good, because I was just about to pick out my own haircut, and we all know how well thatturnsout.”

Renee cracked a tiny grin. “Those itty bitty bangs you had in eighth grade,” she stated. “But don’t worry, I’ve already called ahead and told them exactly whattodo.”

Samantha grinned. “Thankyou.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, as the esthetician reclined Renee back in her chair, positioning her feet up on a stool so she could massage them. When the esthetician began to knead, Renee visibly relaxed and almostmelted.

“So,” she began sleepily. “When does Steven arrive? I was worried for a minute he might get here before you and I’d have to entertain him onmyown.”

It was meant as a joke, one she’d made regularly when they lived together, but the whole energy in the room instantly shifted. Samantha cleared her throat, knowing her friend had no idea what had happened, and grabbed a copy of the Wall Street Journal from the shelf. “We broke up,” she said softly, hoping the nonchalance in her voice carried to her best friend, but as soon as the words exited her lips, Renee removed the cucumbers fromhereyes.

“What?” Reneewhispered. “When?”

Samantha closed the magazine and turned to face her. “On the trip. Two days ago.” She took a breath, trying to calm her nerves. “You were right. He put everything above me and I was sick of it. When he called to tell me he couldn’t make it to the wedding, that was the endforme.”

Renee frowned, sending bits of green mask to fall to her shoulders. “I’m sosorry,Sam.”

She shrugged. “Don’t be. I should have done it a long time ago…likeyousaid.”

A tear slipped down Renee’s cheek, leaving a streak of flesh visible through thethinmask.

Samantha sat forward and grabbed hold of Renee’s hands. “I thought you’d be happy. Ithought—”

“I’m pissed, Sam. So angry he’s treated you like thisagain.”

Samantha nodded, her chin slightly quivering, because it was obvious how much Renee loved her, how ferociously she caredabouther.

“This trip has taught me a lot about myself.” She began. “One being that Steven and I were never meant for each other. I don’t think even as kids, but especiallynotnow.”

Renee nodded, as though she’d known this fact a long time. “How did you do it? What didyousay?”

Samantha winced. “I did it by text. I know it wasn’t ideal, but he was always too busy to talk. I knew he’d at least check hismessages.”

Renee raised her eyebrows. “How did herespond?”

“I don’t know. My phone got wet. I havenoidea.”

Renee laughed, then turned in her seat and looked at Samantha through the mirror. “Serves him right. Though honestly, I’m surprised he let you go that easily. I’m surprised he hasn’t tried calling me to gettoyou.”

Samantha sighed. “I guess he’s resigned to it being over. He’s focused on his career, and I’m honestly relieved about that. It will make things easier when I get home.” She nodded for emphasis, then turned in her seat to continue reading. But a large burly man came to stand behind her at thatmoment.

“You must be Samantha,” he said in a deep, huskyvoice.

She nodded, then glanced over at Renee with eyes as wide assaucers.

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