Page 114 of Oblivion

“Well, the moment I spelled it out to him, I literally saw him realize how messed up everything was. It was like something clicked in his brain, and he figured it out.”

“Okay, but what does that have to do with Evan?”

“He needs that click moment. He needs to be forced to realize that he’s lost you so that he can figure out that he can’t live without you,” she said gleefully.

“But what if he can live without me?” I asked sadly.

“He can’t. But if by the super slim chance he can, then at least you’ll know, and you can move on knowing that you did everything you could.”

“So, what exactly do I do to make him think he’s lost me?” I asked.

“You get a boyfriend, or even better, a fiancé.”

“You want me to get engaged to someone to make the guy I actually want realize he wants me back?” I sputtered.

“Not just someone. I want you to get engaged to Drew. He’s been chasing you all summer, and I don’t care what you say, he does not just want to be friends with you. I’m sure you could plant enough seeds to make him see you as the perfect wife, then when he asks you to marry him, you say yes, and you act like you’re over the moon. You call me, happy and engaged, and you show off your engagement ring, and you tell me that you’ve decided to move to Harvard after all.”

“I can’t make Drew ask me to marry him. He hasn’t even tried to kiss me,” I’d told her.

“Of course you can,” Starling assured me. “In my psychology class, we’re studying subliminal messaging and the ethical ramifications of essentially planting hidden messages to encourage consumers to use specific brands and things. Drew already wants you. I really don’t think it would take much work from you to subliminally convince him that proposing to you is a great idea.”

“And then what? Even if Drew does propose, do you really think that Evan will suddenly just get over his issues and claim me?” I questioned.

“Bring her back to me, big brother. I need her, and I’ll forgive you if you do. I know you love her, so do whatever it takes, but bring her back to me,” Starling said, her eyes going sad as her lips turned down at the corners.

“Holy shit,” I said, bursting into laughter. “When did you become such a good actress?”

A huge smile curved at her lips as she shrugged. “I’ve learned a lot from Sebastian.”

“Including being as dastardly and cunning as he is?” I asked.

“You want Evan, and he wants you. I’m not being dastardly or cunning. I’m just playing the game by their rules. It’s where January and I both went wrong. We played by society’s rules. We played fair, but that’s not how you win. You win by being five moves ahead and changing the rules to act in your favor. There’s no way I’d have survived in Sebastian’s world if I hadn’t picked up a few things, and I’m more than okay with using my insider knowledge to help you get your happy ever after. This will work, Sammy.”

“What do I say to my parents? They’re not going to be okay with me getting engaged to their friends’ son and then dumping him to get with Evan,” I told her.

Sighing, she shrugged. “You lie. Everyone needs to believe that you really want to marry Drew, including your parents. Once Evan comes for you, he’ll figure out a way to get rid of Drew, and then it’ll be his fault you broke up, and not yours.”

“You want me to lie to my family?”

“You’ve been lying to them for months. What’s one more lie?” she’d said, arching her eyebrow and daring me to deny it.

“I’m not sure I’m a good enough actress to pull all of this off.”

Starling laughed. “I’ve seen you flirt with a dozen guys that you weren’t interested in. I’ve seen you tell Evan your life is none of his business and that you don’t belong to him. You can act in love with Drew and then act mad at Evan for a while, especially if it means you both get what you want in the end.”

“What if he figures it out?” I asked, wondering if this really could work. If pretending to move on with my life could really force Evan to make his move.

“He won’t. They always underestimate us. But if he reacts the way I think he will, he’ll lose his shit and take over your life.Are you prepared for that? You’ve seen what I’ve been through, what January went through. Can you live with that? Can you allow him to become your world but not let him consume you?” she asked, her expression serious.

Inhaling sharply, I let out a deep sigh. “I love him.”

“Then let’s make a plan.”

I nodded, still not one hundred percent sure that this was the right way to claim him, but knowing that I was going to do it anyway.

“Sammy,” Starling had called.

“Yeah.”

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