Page 54 of Keeping London (Flawed Heart)

“Okay? So, you can’t speak to people if you have a boyfriend?”

“Well, you know how it is. No one in these places is here to make friends. It’s just better to be up-front. Sorry if I’m coming off as rude, but I just don’t want to deal with it.”

“Deal with a decent guy talking to you because you were standing here, looking sad?”

“Yeah,” I say bluntly.

I’ve come to realize that I’m kind of a bitch, and I’ve accepted this fact.

Brad does the last thing that I expected him to do. He laughs, like all-out, head-thrown-back laughter.

When he faces me again, he says, “You’re hilarious.”

“Um, thanks?” I peer up to his bright blue eyes.

“Listen, London, I’m not interested in hooking up with you or anything else that would come in between you and your boyfriend.”

“You’re not?” I tilt my head to the side, examining the sincerity in his features.

“No, I was just trying to be nice.”

“Oh,” I answer sheepishly.

“Last time I checked, talking isn’t cheating.”

“It’s not.”

“Okay then.” He smirks. “Do you live in LA?”

He’s right. There’s no harm in talking to someone. It beats standing here, brooding in my own misery.

“No, Michigan actually. My sister lives in Palo Alto. She’s in her senior year at Stanford.” I motion toward Georgia, who has her hands on Black Shirt’s chest.

“Ah, I see.”

“Do you live in LA?”

“Yeah, I live in the Hill Section of Manhattan Beach.”

“Oh, nice,” I attempt to say nonchalantly though I’ve been to one of my dad’s business associate’s homes in that neighborhood and know how upscale it is.Cute and rich? Totally not fair.

“So, London, what do you do in Michigan?”

“Well, I’m a journalist. I write freelance articles for a local online news outlet, but I’m looking for another job.”

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”

“I love my job—don’t get me wrong—but I need more. I’m a little bored. I’m applying to bigger newspapers and news stations. In my line of employment, you have to work your way up from the bottom, you know? I mean, I’m sure I could have used some of father’s connections to get a better first job, but I liked starting out small. I’ve learned a lot. Now, I’m ready to learn more.”

“That’s great.”

“Yeah. So, what do you do out here?”

“Well, I’m a senior editor for theLos Angeles Times.”

My mouth falls open in what I’m sure is a very unattractive way before I snap it shut. “You are not!”

“I am.” He smiles.

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