Page 71 of Tangled In Lies

“You okay?”

“I swear I’m okay with it. There has never been anything between Ty and me.” I grab my straw and take a big gulp, sighing happily when the liquid slithers down my throat.

“Evie,” Mason’s voice is quiet. Gentle. “I’m talking about what happened last week. Not just the piano and meltdown situation, but also everything going on with Phoenix.” He shoots a glance in Holden’s direction and leans in closer. “He isn’t forcing you to do things, is he?”

My eyes widen to unnatural saucers as I simultaneously choke on my drink. My panicked gaze skips to Holden, who’s about to get up, probably to check on me, but I wave him off, and he sits back down.

Mason rubs my back until the worst of the coughs have finally subsided. “Sorry about that.”

We’ve been inseparable since the three of us met in middle school, and they’ve been my rock every moment of these last few fucked-up years, at least for the parts I was able to share with them. I’ve leaned on them, and they pulled me out of my darkness more times than I could count, especially when no one and nothing else could get through to me during my panic attacks.

Just like Phoenix did last week.

Phoenix cared for me, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say he was worried. My mind must have played tricks on me, though, because could Phoenix really ever be concerned about me?

“Evie?” Ruby’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

Mason’s question pops back to the forefront.

I shake my head so violently, little pins of pain prickle at my temples. “No, never.”

Mason levels me with a serious look. “If he lays a finger on you against your will, we’ll find a way to off him, and all go into witness protection together.”

I huff a quiet laugh and throw my hands around Mason. “Thank you for caring. It means more than I could ever tell you.”

He squeezes tight. “Always, Evie. Always.”

“Hey, don’t forget about me.” Ruby leans across the table.

We make room for her in our group hug.

My eyes burn. “Love you guys.”

“Love you too.” Ruby touches her forehead against my temple.

“Me three.” Mason gives both of us another squeeze.

Eventually, we disentangle and sip our drinks as if we need a moment to collect ourselves. I know I do.

Ruby stirs the liquid in her cup. “Soooo, let’s talk about that totally willing and unforced kiss.”

Ah, yes,that kiss.

Heat warms my cheeks before I can rein in my reaction. And it’s impossible to think about that kiss without remembering how amazing it felt.

It was exactly how I always thought kissing Phoenix Montgomery would feel.

Utterly addictive and spellbinding.

I lower my head and sigh. “You know it wasn’t a real kiss.”

Mason drapes his arm over the bench behind me. “Are you sure about that? Because I’ve watched the video of it several times, and it looked pretty real to me.” He snorts. “I bet it was perfect. Because that man doesn’t already have everything a guy could ever dream of, he must also have a wicked tongue.”

Ruby bursts out laughing. “Careful, Romeo, your green witch is showing.”

Mason points at her. “It’s true, and you know it.”

Ruby’s still wearing a stupid grin. “I’m pretty sure having committed a felony and going to prison put a dent in his perfect Prince Charming façade.”

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