Page 66 of Face Me Off

Her laugh fills the room. “It’s going to have to be since it’s the truth.”

I finally take in the coffee table covered with textbooks and papers. It’s like a rainbow puked everywhere with all the color-coding going on. “What are you doing, anyway?”

“I’m organizing my study schedule for finals.” She taps the pen against her lip, admiring her calendar. Amanda always likedto be organized. It’s no wonder she and Ryan hit it off that first year. They’re just alike.

I flop down next to her and kick my sneakers off. “So it’s true then? Blake’s really going with you to Boston for Thanksgiving?”

“Yes, but seriously, I haven’t told anyone. How’d you find out?” She moves her notebook out of the way.

“That’s not important.” I nudge her with my knee. “What’s going on with you two?”

“Nothing, trust me.”

“Girl, please. It’s more than nothing. Blake Morton giving you the royal treatment is straight out of a romance novel.”

“You make it sound way more glamorous than what actually happened. Blake’s just trying to get out of his family’s dinner. He assumed I’d be flying back home for the holiday, and now he’s committed to see it through.”

My face falls. I’m pretty sure it’s more than she’s letting on. They may not realize it, but whatever is going on between them isn’t fake. “But you’re going?”

“Yes, which is part of the reason I’m making my study schedule early. Now, tell me how you found out.”

“Fine. I ran into Ryan at the grocery store. He mentioned it.” I cock my head to sell the lie. “He also said you guys haven’t been talking much lately.”

She diverts her gaze to the stack of notepads and bites her lip. One thing Amanda hates is disappointing people, something we have in common, so maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up. He really just said it in passing.

“I see him once in a while when I’m at the jock house, but we don’t get to talk much. I should probably call him.” She meets my gaze. “Is something bothering you?”

“Me?” I shriek, then shake my head. “No. I’m fine. Oh!” I jump up, suddenly remembering the envelope that came for her, and rush to the kitchen. “You’ve got mail.”

I toss a thick envelope at her, which is more likely an acceptance letter from one of the internships she applied for. That’s great and all, but the return address is from Boston General.

“Hmm, I wasn’t expecting this.” Flipping the envelope over, she rips it open and pulls out the cover letter. Her smile starts small but grows wider.

Damn it.

I lean over the couch to get a closer look. A crushing pain tightens my chest, but I push it aside. This is supposed to be a happy moment. It’s what she’s worked hard for, but it also means I lose her. “You got it!” I feign excitement, but I’m unsure if I pulled it off.

“Yeah, the top candidate must’ve turned it down.”

“Congratulations, Amanda. This is great.”

“Can you believe it?”

“Believe it? Amanda, you’re brilliant. They’d be insane not to pick you.”

I am happy for her, even if I am dying inside.

“At least I have until the end of December to accept it.” She takes an exaggerated breath. “Is it wrong to still hope I get the Memorial Hospital one, too?”

“No, of course not.” I nudged her again. “I selfishly hope you get it so you won’t leave me.”

She laughs, but it quickly fades. “Me too.”

“Where does this leave you with Blake?”

“I don’t know.”

I study her. For somebody awarded the opportunity of a lifetime, she doesn’t seem thrilled. She seems worried.

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